Efficacy of urodynamic studies in predicting long-term outcomes of the transobturator tape: do they augment clinical assessment?

Abstract

Introduction

Some controversy exists regarding necessity for urodynamic evaluation prior to surgical management of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). We aimed to interrogate the role of pre and post-operative urodynamic studies versus clinical assessment in predicting long-term patient reported outcomes of transobturator tape (TOT) placement.

Material and methods

A 100 patient cohort of women post TOT insertion for stress/mixed urinary incontinence 2005–2010, under a single surgeon, was identified. Results of pre and post-operative clinical assessment and urodynamic studies were retrospectively evaluated. Long-term patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) were assessed using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire (ICIQ) Short Form, Patient Global Impression of Severity (PGI-S) and Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) questionnaires. The role of urodynamic studies in predicting postoperative voiding dysfunction, and long-term procedure outcomes was analysed. Statistical correlations were performed using SPSS.

Results

Questionnaire response rate was 76/100 (76%) at mean follow-up 9.4 years (7.25–12.75). Mean ICIQ score was 6.32 (1–20). No significant correlations between preoperative pDet QMax and postoperative uroflow/duration of intermittent self catheterisation (ISC), or between preoperative leak-point pressures and outcome were observed. Postoperative urodynamic tests did not reliably predict long-term success in SUI cure. Preoperative clinical urgency was a more reliable predictor of long-term clinical urgency than urodynamic detrusor overactivity. Whilst patients with mixed urinary incontinence at long-term follow-up tended to have the highest (worst) overall ICIQ-SF and ICIQ quality of life score, no studied variables on preoperative CMG were significantly correlated with long-term PROMs.

Conclusions

Whilst urodynamic studies provide important baseline bladder function data, prior to mid-urethral sling placement, this study finds no specific value of either pre or postoperative urodynamics in predicting long-term patient reported outcomes of transobturator tape placement.