Sexual function following tension-free vaginal and transobturator tape for stress urinary incontinence: a comparative study

To compare sexual function outcome in female patients following tension-free vaginal (TVT) versus transobturator tape (TOT) for stress urinary incontinence (SUI). All women who underwent TVT or TOT procedures for SUI for the first time and/or concomitant prolapse repair were sent the Lemack Questionnaire through mail. Complete information available for analysis was obtained for 192 (61.9%) out of the 310 women who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Among them 145 women were sexually active before and after TVT and TOT procedures, respectively. Sexual function outcome did not differ pre- and postoperatively for the TVT and TOT groups, and postoperatively between the two groups. Of all responders, 23 (29.5%) and 21 (32.9%) cases reported an improvement in intercourse satisfaction, in whereas 14 (17.3%) and 8 (12.5%) complained of sexual function deterioration after TVT and TOT procedure, respectively (P = 0.43). There was a significant improvement of coital incontinence after surgery for the TVT and the TOT groups (P < 0.01 and P < 0.02, respectively) with no significant differences between the two groups (P = 0.07). This study suggests that anti-incontinence surgery can have a positive and negative outcome on sexual function, with no significant differences between the TVT and TOT procedures. It also suggests that coital incontinence is very likely to be cured or improved following TVT or TOT procedures for SUI.