Voiding dysfunction after surgery for stress incontinence: literature review and survey results

Postoperative voiding dysfunction is a potential complication of anti-incontinence procedures. Reported rates of urethral obstruction range from 5% to 20%. There is a lack of consensus in the literature regarding the appropriate evaluation and management of this distressing problem. A literature search was carried out using Medline (1966-2001) for postoperative voiding dysfunction. The key word urethrolysis was cross-referenced with surgical complications and stress urinary incontinence to identify all published English-language articles. The bibliographies of reviewed articles were searched manually. We also mailed a survey to the members of American Urogynecologic Society (AUGS) regarding their management of this problem. Overall, 262 members (31.4%) responded to the survey. Success rates reported in the literature between retropubic and vaginal techniques of urethrolysis are comparable, but morbidity is lower with the vaginal approach. The success rates are equivalent with (68%) or without (74%) resuspension following transvaginal urethrolysis. The incidence of postoperative SUI is acceptably low even without resuspension of the urethra (6% for both). Results of the AUGS survey reveal that most providers favor a transvaginal approach (74%) when performing urethrolysis, and they do not routinely resupport the bladder neck (82%).