Does the degree of experience for the tension-free vaginal tape procedure influence the results of the suprapubic arc sling procedure during the learning phase?
OBJECTIVE
The object was to evaluate whether the degree of experience for the tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedures influenced the early results of the suprapubic arc (SPARC) sling procedure.


METHODS
We performed the TVT from March 1999 to May 2003 and SPARC from June to April 2004 by experienced surgeon (A) and inexperienced surgeon (B), respectively. Patients were divided as four subgroups: first 50 patients who underwent the TVT by surgeon A (TVT A); first 15 patients who underwent the TVT by surgeon B (TVT B); first 50 patients who underwent the SPARC by surgeon A (SPARC A); first 15 patients who underwent the SPARC by surgeon B (SPARC B).


RESULTS
Bladder perforations were noted in 4 (8.5%) in the TVT A group and 2 (13.3%) in the TVT B group, respectively (P = 0.626). There was no bladder perforation occurred in the SPARC A and B groups. The rates of transient postoperative urinary retention were 6.4% in the TVT A group and 0.0% in the TVT B group, respectively (P = 1.000). No retention occurred in the SPARC A and B groups. Stress urinary incontinence was cured by 89.4% in the TVT A group and 80.0% in the TVT B group, respectively (P = 0.388). Similar success rates were found in the SPARC A (85.4%) and SPARC B (92.3%) group (P = 1.000).


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that the degree of experience for the TVT procedure does not influence the results of the SPARC procedure during the learning phase.
Paick
Jae-Seung
JS
Department of Urology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Oh
Jin Gyu
JG
Shin
Jae Wook
JW
Kim
Soo Woong
SW
Ku
Ja Hyeon
JH
D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011126:Polypropylenes; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D053825:Suburethral Slings; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014550:Urinary Incontinence, Stress / Q000601:surgery*; D014563:Urodynamics; D013519:Urogenital Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*
D011126:Polypropylenes