Fulfilment of patient goals after tension-free vaginal tape operation for stress urinary incontinence

The aim of this study was to investigate patient-reported goals after a tension-free vaginal tape operation for stress urinary incontinence and the correlation with postoperative incontinence.

A prospective study involving 70 women was carried out. Preoperatively, patients completed the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ-UI SF) and stated three goals for the operation. A telephone interview was performed 3 months postoperatively.

A Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score from zero to ten estimated the extent to which goals were achieved. Goals were divided into five groups: 1, symptoms; 2, quality of life (physical); 3, quality of life (emotional); 4, sexual function; 5, avoidance. ICIQ-UI SF preoperative mean was 14.9 and postoperative mean was 1.5 (p < 0.05). A total of 210 goals were stated. The majority of the goals (38 %) were in group 2 concerning quality of life in the physical domains. Mean VAS score for all goals was 9.1 (SD 2). Thirty-seven patients (53 %) fulfilled all their goals. Twenty-one patients (30 %) did not have a VAS score of 10, although continent with an ICIQ-UI SF score of zero. Reasons for not achieving a full VAS score were that some still used pads out of fear (n = 10), that their mental focus was still on incontinence (n = 7) or that they had not yet tried some of the physical aims (n = 7).

Most patients achieved their goals. The majority of the goals concerned quality of life in the physical domains.

International urogynecology journal. 2016 Jun 01 [Epub ahead of print]

Karin Glavind, Jonna Bjørk, Sabrina Kousgaard

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aalborg University Hospital, Reberbansgade, 9000, Aalborg, Denmark. ., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aalborg University Hospital, Reberbansgade, 9000, Aalborg, Denmark., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aalborg University Hospital, Reberbansgade, 9000, Aalborg, Denmark.