Does Valsalva leak point pressure predict outcome after the distal urethral polypropylene sling? Role of urodynamics in the sling era.
OBJECTIVE
Recently sling procedures have been shown to be effective in the treatment of all types of incontinence. In this study we evaluated the role of preoperative Valsalva leak point pressure (VLPP) in predicting the outcome of sling surgery.


METHODS
We prospectively evaluated 174 consecutive patients who underwent a distal polypropylene sling procedure for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Using SEAPI scores patients were divided by VLPP into group 1-60 patients who did not leak on urodynamics, group 2-27 patients with VLPP greater than 80 cm H2O, group 3-71 patients with VLPP 30 to 80 cm H2O and group 4-16 patients with VLPP less than 30 cm H2O. Surgical outcomes were determined by symptom, bother and quality of life questionnaires filled out by patients. The physicians were blinded to patient response.


RESULTS
Mean followup was 14.7 months (range 12 to 30) and mean patient age was 62 years (range 32 to 88). The groups were well matched before surgery with respect to age, number of previous surgeries, and severity of SUI symptoms and urge incontinence. The percentage of patients who were cured or improved was similar among groups. After surgery there was no statistical difference among patient mean self-reported symptoms of or bother from SUI or urge incontinence.


CONCLUSIONS
The distal urethral polypropylene sling provides similar symptom improvement in all patients regardless of preoperative VLPP. VLPP is helpful in the diagnosis of SUI but appears to be of minimal benefit in predicting the outcome of the distal urethral polypropylene sling procedure.
Rodríguez
Larissa V
LV
Departments of Urology, The Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90024, USA.
de Almeida
Fernando
F
Dorey
Frederick
F
Raz
Shlomo
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011126:Polypropylenes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014521:Urethra / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014550:Urinary Incontinence, Stress / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D014563:Urodynamics
D011126:Polypropylenes