This prospective, multicentre study involved 88 women undergoing suburethral sling procedure for stress urinary incontinence (SUI). The retropubic route (RPR) and the transobturator route (TOR) were used in 42 and 46 women, respectively. No difference in epidemiologic and preoperative urinary functional status (SUI stage, and pollakiuria, nocturia, and urgency rates) was found between the groups. Functional results and quality of life were evaluated before surgery and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 mo postoperatively. Urodynamic examinations were performed before and 3 mo after surgery.

The mean follow-up was 10 mo. No difference in the rate of de novo urge incontinence and immediate and late voiding dysfunction was noted between the groups. No difference in the cure rate was observed between the groups (89.3% in the RPR group and 88.6% in the TOR group). RPR was associated with a significant decrease in maximum urinary flow and an increase in residual urine volume. Quality of life was significantly improved after surgery without difference between the groups.

Retropubic and transobturator routes for treatment of female SUI have similar high cure rates and quality of life improvement. Because of advantages in the rate of complications and postoperative pain previously demonstrated on the same population, the transobturator route appears to be the best option for the treatment of urinary incontinence.

Emile Daraï, Jean-Luc Frobert, Maryelle Grisard-Anaf, Jean Lienhart, Hervé Fernandez, Gil Dubernard, Emmanuel David-Montefiore

Service de Gynécologie-Obstétrique, Hôpital Tenon, Université Saint-Antoine Paris IV, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
Service de Gynécologie, Hôpital de Bourg en Bresse, France
Clinique Sainte Anne Lumière, Lyon, France
Clinique Trénel, Sainte Colombe, France
Service de Gynécologie-Obstétrique, Hôpital A. Béclère, Université Paris XI, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France

Accepted 25 August 2006 published online 12 September 2006.