title: A sequential comparison of postoperative voiding function between two different transobturator sling procedures.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We evaluated sequential postoperative voiding function of two types of sling procedures (Monarc®and ALIGN®) in patients with stress urinary incontinence.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-one women diagnosed with urodynamic stress incontinence were randomly assigned to the study. All enrolled patients underwent Monarc or ALIGN procedure. They were postoperatively evaluated at one day, one week, one month, three months, 12 months, and 24 months. The voiding function was evaluated with uroflowmetry and post-void residual urine. Patients were asked if voiding had changed after surgery and had to complete the incontinence quality of life scale (I-QoL) questionnaire at 12 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The Monarc (n=47) and ALIGN (n=44) groups had similar demographic characteristics. The maximal flow rate (Qmax) was significantly decreased on the first day after surgery and gradually increased during the following weeks. Comparing the two groups at one week, the ALIGN group had a significantly decreased Qmax than the Monarc group (17.6 ± 5.2 vs. 20.7 ± 5.0; p=0.004). However, at one, three, 12, and 24 months, there were no significant differences between the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrated that an absorbable tensioning suture in the Monarc mesh could increase Qmax compared to ALIGN at one week after surgery. An absorbable tensioning suture may reduce the risk of an early postoperative voiding dysfunction compared to other meshes that do not have this.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Don Kyoung
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Ha Bum
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Young Goo
authors.initials: YG
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Ki Kyung
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Sung Tae
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Cho