Factors affecting transient urinary retention after transobturator tape mid-urethral sling surgery for female patients with stress urinary incontinence: a single center experience

Objective: To identify the incidence and potential risk factors affecting postoperative transient urinary retention (TR) with transobturator tape (TOT) mid-urethral sling surgery for female patients with stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Study design: We reviewed the medical records of 305 patients with SUI who underwent the TOT procedure. Postoperative TR was defined as follows: (1) patients had still voiding difficulty after removing the Foley catheter postoperatively and (2) straining pattern of postoperative voiding with the post-void residual urine volume (PVR) larger than 100mL during 1st or 2nd trial of self-voiding and (3) these voiding problems are resolved within 48 h without any special treatment. The Foley catheter was removed routinely on the first postoperative day. Age, previous pelvic surgery history, co-existence of cystocele, number of vaginal deliveries and all urodynamic parameters were analyzed and compared between the TR group and control group.

Results: The incidence of TR was 9.5%. Comparative analysis revealed concomitant prolapse surgery including anterior and posterior repair, Valsalva leak point pressure and preoperative PVR. In multivariate analysis, preoperative PVR proved to be a potential risk factor for TR.

Conclusion: TR was not a rare postoperative complication after TOT procedures. Potential risk factors for transient retention include preoperative PVR.