[Voiding symptoms changes after vaginal sling surgery for female stress urinary incontinence]

To evaluate the changes in voiding symptoms in female patients with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) undergoing transvaginal sling techniques over a five-year period in the Department of Urology at the University Hospital of Albacete.

Between November 2001 and December 2005 126 patients with SUI (mean age 57.09 years; 36-78) underwent transvaginal sling techniques (Sling in Fast, TVK TOT). All patients were evaluated clinically and urodynamically.

Average body mass index (BMI) was 28.14 kg/m2 (SD 4.66; 95% CI: 27.32-28.96). 92 patients (73%) presented between 2-4 previous pregnancies. 99 patients (80.9%) have had birth labour between 2 and 4 times. All of them were vaginal birth labours except 12 cases (9.5%) in which caesarean section had been performed. Daytime voiding frequency after surgery was over 120 minutes in 112 patients (88.9%). Night-time voiding frequency was equal or less than twice in 110 patients (87.3%). 104 patients (82.5%) presented at least two leaking episodes per day, and 105 patients (83.3%) needed to wear one pad per day or less during the last week before follow-up visit. The number of urinary leak episodes per day diminished in 114 patients (90.5%) with a mean decrease of 9.65 episodes (95% CI: 8.56-10.79) (p < 0.0001). Ninety-four patients (76.4%) were completely dry.

Development of new surgical techniques for the treatment of SUI have improved results and diminished the number of complications, an expression of which is the favourable evolution of voiding changes after surgery.