Inserting the tunneller during an outside-in transobturator tape procedure by syringe-needle guidance

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the feasibility of a novel syringe-needle guidance technique (SNG), and its impact on the perioperative variables and outcomes of patients undergoing an outside-in transobturator tape procedure (TOT). Between November 2006 and May 2008, 48 consecutive women who underwent TOT with SNG were included. Another 25 women without SNG between March 2004 and October 2006 were included as a historical control. There were no significant differences in hospital stays and complication rates between the two groups. However, the operating time was shorter (mean 23.0 vs 28.3 min, p = 0.008) in the SNG group than in the control group. The presence of the SNG technique was the sole predictor of the operating time (p = 0.003). In conclusion, the SNG technique is a feasible method to provide help in inserting the tunneller of TOT through the transobturator foramen, and did not compromise the outcome.

Keywords::

• Syringe-needle guidance
• transobturator tape procedure
• urodynamic stress incontinence

Acknowledgement

We thank Chi-Ling Chen PhD, Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, for her statistical assistance in this study.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.