Trends in inpatient urinary incontinence surgery in the USA, 1998-2007

This study was conducted to assess national rates in stress urinary incontinence (SUI) surgery in the USA from 1998 to 2007.

We utilized the 1998-2007 Nationwide Inpatient Sample and assessed women aged 20 years and older who underwent SUI surgery based on the International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision (ICD-9) procedure and diagnosis codes.

The total number of SUI surgeries performed during this 10-year period was 759,821. The annual number of procedures increased from 37,953 in 1998 to 94,910 in 2007. The type of SUI surgery performed also changed (p < 0.001). In 1998, retropubic suspensions represented 52.3%, decreasing to 13.8% in 2007. "Other repair of SUI" (ICD-9 59.79) comprised 22.4% in 1998, increasing to 75.2% in 2007, likely representing midurethral slings.

The total number and incidence rates of SUI surgeries have increased from 1998 to 2007. The type of SUI surgery performed has also changed significantly, likely secondary to adoption of midurethral slings.