De novo or resolved urgency and urgency urinary incontinence after midurethral sling operations: How can we properly counsel our patients?

Effect of Vaginal Prolapse Repair and Midurethral Sling on Urgency Incontinence Symptoms

IMPORTANCE

Limited evidence exists on the effect of combined native tissue vaginal prolapse repair with midurethral sling on urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) symptoms.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of combined native tissue vaginal prolapse repair with midurethral sling on UUI symptoms at 12 months postoperatively and identify risk factors for persistent UUI.

STUDY DESIGN

This secondary analysis utilized data from a randomized trial comparing retropubic versus single-incision slings in women undergoing treatment of stress incontinence and vaginal prolapse with native tissue vaginal repair and midurethral sling. Responses to Question 16 of the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20 were grouped into no and mild UUI (0, 1) versus moderate and severe UUI (2, 3, 4), and associations between UUI symptoms and patient and surgical characteristics were explored.

RESULTS

At baseline, 196/254 (77%) reported at least moderate UUI bother, whereas 58 (23%) had no bother. At 12 months postoperatively, persistent, resolved and de novo UUI were 41%, 59%, and 11%, respectively. At baseline, higher body mass index (odds ratio [OR], 1.08 95% CI, 1.02-1.14; P = 0.005) and symptomatic SUI (OR, 4.76; 95% CI, 2.53-9.01; P < 0.001) were associated with UUI. At 12 months, age (OR, 1.18, 95% CI, 1.04-1.35; P = 0.012) and Charlson Comorbidity Index (OR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.00-1.45; P = 0.049) were associated with UUI. Colpocleisis was the only significant protective factor for the presence of UUI at 12 months (OR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.13-0.97; P = 0.043).

CONCLUSION

At 12 months postoperatively, almost 60% saw resolution of baseline UUI symptoms, especially those undergoing colpocleisis.

Midurethral sling in the treatment of mixed urinary incontinence: A literature review of functional outcomes and associated factors

PURPOSE

To review the functional results of the midurethral sling (MUS) in the management of mixed urinary incontinence (MUI) and provide guidance on patient selection and the potential benefits of concomitant treatments.

METHODS

A literature review from the past 20years was conducted from the PubMed database using the terms "mixed urinary incontinence," associated to "sling," "midurethral sling," "suburethral sling," "mid-urethral sling," "sub-urethral sling," and "tension-free vaginal tape".

RESULTS

The efficacy of the MUS varies considerably depending on the definition of success used. Stress urinary incontinence resolved in 78 to 100% of patients while urge urinary incontinence (UUI) resolved in 57.4 to 82% of patients at short-term follow up. Overall urinary incontinence (UI) resolved in 58% to 85% during this time. A significant proportion of women report a high degree of satisfaction with this treatment. Long-term studies with follow-up period greater than 36months revealed a deterioration of the functional outcomes, especially for UUI. Older women with predominant UUI or detrusor overactivity on urodynamics may be at risk for poorer outcomes. Among concomitant treatments studied, OnabotulinumtoxinA injection, ospemifene, physiotherapy, percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation and surgical bladder denervation appears to offer benefits in improving UI. However, the evidence is currently insufficient to recommend their routine concomitant use.

CONCLUSION

MUS is an effective treatment for MUI. Further research is needed to better understand the potential benefits of concurrent treatments and to develop models that can predict outcomes and assist physicians in shared decision making about how to approach the management of MUI.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4

Urgency and urgency incontinence following stress urinary incontinence surgery: A review of evaluation and management

The presence of urgency urinary incontinence (U/UUI) after sling surgery is a common reason for dissatisfaction and imposition on quality of life. We aimed to evaluate and analyze the pathophysiology, evaluation, and treatment of U/UUI after sling surgery. A MEDLINE review was performed for relevant, English-language articles relating to storage and emptying symptoms after sling surgery. U/UUI may persist, be improved, or worsen in women with preoperative mixed urinary incontinence and may appear de novo in those women originally presenting with pure stress urinary incontinence (SUI). While the exact mechanism is not clear, partial bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) should always be suspected, especially in those women with worsened or de novo symptoms soon after sling surgery. Initial workup should elucidate the temporality, quality, and bother associated with symptoms and to evaluate the woman for urinary tract infection (UTI), pelvic organ prolapse (POP), or perforation of the lower urinary tract. The utility of urodynamics in attaining a definitive diagnosis of BOO is inconclusive. Treatment options include reevaluation of the patient after sling incision or after addressing UTI, POP, and perforation of the bladder or urethra. Women also typically undergo a multitiered approach to storage lower urinary tract symptoms outlined in the American Urological Association/Society of Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine and Urogenital Reconstruction Overactive Bladder Guidelines. While improvement is typically seen with multimodality treatment, all women should be counseled regarding need for additional treatment for U/UUI, BOO, and SUI in the future.

The evolution of incontinence into resolved, refractory and de novo urgency urinary incontinence following sling placement at time of prolapse repair in a large urodynamic cohort

PURPOSE

To improve counseling in women at risk of refractory and/or de novo urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) following sling placement at time of prolapse repair, we created an outcome model to characterize changes in storage dysfunction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We identified 139 women who underwent urodynamics followed by sling or no sling placement at the time of prolapse repair over a 6-year period. Our primary outcome was the presence of UUI following sling placement. Data were analyzed in SAS using chi-square, Fisher's exact, Student's t-test, and Kaplan-Meier methods.

RESULTS

At baseline, the sling group had significantly higher subjective (62/81 [76.5%] vs. 18/58 [31.0%]; p<0.001), objective (62/81 [76.5%] vs. 6/58 [10.3%]; p<0.001), and occult (41/81 [50.6%] vs. 6/58 [10.3%]; p<0.001) stress urinary incontinence (SUI); and rates of subjective and objective UUI were similar to the no sling group prior to surgery. After surgery (mean follow-up 859 days) there was no difference with or without sling, in the rate of SUI (subjective, objective) and further SUI treatments (bulking agent, repeat sling). Higher rates of de novo (13/81 [16.0%] vs. 6/58 [10.3%]; p=0.454) and refractory (31/81 [38.3%] vs. 14/58 [24.1%]; p=0.048) UUI were noted in the sling group following surgery. On Kaplan-Meier analysis, a greater proportion of women in the no sling group did not report UUI at longest follow-up (hazard ratio 0.63; 95% confidence interval 0.37-1.06; p=0.081).

CONCLUSIONS

Women should be counseled on the risk of de novo and refractory UUI following sling placement at time of prolapse repair.

Retropubic mid-urethral slings and de novo urinary urgency and frequency: The role of retropubic hematomas

AIMS

This is a prospective cohort study comparing de novo lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in subjects undergoing a retropubic mid-urethral sling who either did or did not develop a postoperative retropubic hematoma within 6 weeks of surgery. The secondary objective was to measure the incidence and prevalence of retropubic hematomas, and subject characteristics associated with retropubic hematomas.

METHODS

Eligible subjects were recruited before undergoing a retropubic mid-urethral sling with or without concurrent pelvic reconstructive surgery. Validated urinary symptom questionnaires were completed before surgery and at 6 weeks postoperatively. An abdominal ultrasound was used to establish baseline lower urinary tract imaging. Ultrasound was repeated immediately after surgery and 6 weeks later to assess for the presence of retropubic hematomas.

RESULTS

Ninety-four subjects were enrolled. Baseline urgency and frequency were measured in 35% (33/93) of subjects. At 6 weeks postoperatively, 2% (1/52) had de novo LUTS which were not associated with a retropubic hematoma at any time. Immediately after surgery, the incidence of retropubic hematomas was 17% (16/94) while the prevalence of retropubic hematomas 6 weeks after surgery was 4% (3/75). There was no significant difference in the change in hemoglobin before and after surgery between those with and without postoperative retropubic hematomas.

CONCLUSIONS

There is no significant association with de novo LUTS and retropubic hematomas. Though there is a 17% incidence of retropubic hematomas detected immediately after surgery, those with hematomas who were not lost to follow-up resolved by the 6-week postoperative visit and is of unclear clinical significance.

A Comparative Observational Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of Mid-Urethral Sling with Botulinum Toxin A Injection in Urinary Incontinence Patients

This study aimed to evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety of mid-urethral sling (MUS) with botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) versus MUS only in women with mixed urinary incontinence. This was a comparative observational study, and total of 73 patients were enrolled. A total of 38 and 35 patients received MUS only and MUS with BoNT-A injection, respectively. The efficacy outcome included change in Urinary Incontinence Outcome Scores (UIOS), change in Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS), and use of antimuscarinic agent or beta-3 agonist. Safety assessments included adverse events including urinary retention, increased postvoid residual volumes, and urinary tract infection. MUS with BoNT-A injection was insignificantly better than MUS only in urinary incontinence outcome (88% vs. 71%, respectively, p = 0.085) at week three. Among the 33 patients with detrusor overactivity (DO), patients who received BoNT-A had a higher cure rate of incontinence (88% vs. 41%, p = 0.01) and less required antimuscarinic agent or beta-3 agonist (31% vs. 94%, p < 0.001) compared to patients who did not receive BoNT-A injection. There was no significant difference in the incidences of adverse events between two groups. BoNT-A injection with MUS demonstrated efficacy and safety in the treatment of mixed urinary incontinence, specifically for women with DO.