Transobturator TVT-O versus retropubic TVT: results of a multicenter randomized controlled trial at 24 months follow-up

Introduction and hypothesis The purpose of this study is to compare the retropubic tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure with the inside-out transobturator approach (TVT-O). Methods Multicenter randomized controlled trial. One hundred forty-nine patients were randomly allocated to either TVT ( n = 75) or TVT-O ( n = 74). Interview, medical examination, pain scores, success rates, and quality of life assessment were recorded pre-operatively, and 2, 6, 12, and 24 months post-operatively. Results One hundred forty-nine patients underwent surgery, and 132 completed a 24-month follow-up. Bladder injury rate was 5% (4/75) in the TVT group and 2% (2/74) in the TVT-O group ( p = 0.68). There was no significant difference between the two groups, concerning overall cure rate and the patients' satisfaction rate at 24 months follow-up. The range of mean pain scores was significantly higher after the TVT-O procedure post-operatively but not at 24 months follow-up. Conclusion TVT and TVT-O procedures both have an outcome associated with an increase in quality of life with no significant differences in satisfaction rates at 2 years follow-up.