Objective: To evaluate by voluntary and anonymous declaration the current surgical practice for female stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in France.
Population and methods: A postal survey, anonymous, sealed, and validated by the Scientific Committee of the Société de chirurgie gynécologie et pelvienne (SCGP), was conducted among all members. The questionnaire was also available online, on the SCGP website.
Results: One hundred and three (18%) members responded. The respondents (87%; n=90) were performing less than 10 incontinence procedures in a month. Suburethral slings represent the choice technique for SUI, prior by transobturator approach (87%; n=90). Other practices are exceptional. Urodynamics study was routinely performed prior to surgery in 69% of cases. Surgical treatment was performed using prior regional anaesthesia in retropubic approach (58%; n=40 in 68 respondents); either loco-regional (47%; n=48 in 102 respondents) or general anaesthesia (50%; n=51 in 102 respondents) were used in transobturator approach. No transobturator route was privileged. The postoperative urethral catheter was being left for 24h or less in case of retropubic or transobturator approach (70%; n=37 in 53 respondents and 68%; n=52 in 76 respondents, respectively). The patient's hospital stay was one night (83%; n=54 in 65 respondents and 85%; n=87 in 102 respondents, respectively). A postoperative audit was not done by 19% of respondents.
Discussion and conclusion: Suburethral tape placement is nowadays the main surgical treatment for female stress urinary incontinence amongst members of SCGP. The transobturator approach is preferred.