Comparison of Transobturator Tape Surgery Using Commercial and Hand Made Slings in Women with Stress Urinary Incontinence

To compare the complications and success rates of hand-made sling with commercial sling used in transob­turator tape (TOT) surgery. From 2008 to 2010, hand-made slings were used in TOT surgery, whereas commercial slings were used from 2010 to 2013 in our clinic. Overall 102 patients were included in the study. Patients were cat­egorized into 2 groups: group 1 had hand-made (polypropylene monofilament) slings, while group 2 had commercial slings (polypropylene monofilament). We retrospectively reviewed 1-year follow-up results of the whole cohort. Ages, body mass indexes, menopausal status, operation time, cost of sling, success of operation and complications were recorded. All these data were compared between the 2 groups. There were 41 patients (54.29 ± 9.88 years) in group 1 and 61 patients (52.82 ± 9.85 years) in group 2. Men­opausal status and body mass index (28.1 vs. 29.2 kg/m² respectively) were similar for both groups. Previous history of incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse surgery (P =. 046), mean duration of the procedure (P =. 001), and vaginal extrusion rate (P =. 016) were significantly lower in group 2. The cost of the sling was higher in group 2 than in group 1. There was no significant difference in success of operation between the groups (P =. 319). According to our results, hand-made mesh is a viable option in TOT surgery with similar efficacy, but surgeons should be careful in terms of vaginal extrusion.