Stress Urinary incontinence (SUI) is a common health condition in the female population. Mid-urethral slings (MUS) have proven to be effective in the treatment of female SUI. Trans-obturator tape (TOT) has been demonstrated to be as effective as retropubic tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) with fewer major complications. In this study, it is aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a newly developed, innovative medical device, as compared to TOT, in the patients diagnosed with urinary incontinence and requiring the surgical intervention.
The study is an open-label, prospective, parallel-group, randomized, controlled medical device clinical trial, conducted in two centers. The two arms of the trial consist of patients randomized to the new device group and to the TOT group. According to this distribution, one group will be subjected to the operation with the new device, and the other group will be subjected to the operation with a commercially available TOT. Primary objective: Evaluation of the effectiveness of using the new device in the surgical treatment of urinary incontinence. Secondary objectives: Evaluation of the effects of the new device use on patients' quality of life, treatment satisfaction, and sexual functions, as well as assessment of safety. The study includes evaluation of the progress employing objective (pad weight, number of incontinence episodes, urodynamic tests) and subjective tests (questionnaires, diaries) during the 12 months follow-up period.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
67
In the Transobturator Tape-TOT operation, the anterior vaginal wall is incised 2 cm sagittal 1.5 cm below the urethra in the dorsal lithotomy position and the paraurethral areas are separated by sharp and blunt dissection and the ischiopubic bone is reached with the finger. The skin is incised so as to remain 1 cm lateral to the ischiopubic ramus on the line passing through the clitoris, and the synthetic tape is placed from outside to inside with special inclined trocars, passing under the urethra close to the medial part of the obturator foramen. Cystoscopy is not performed during the procedure. The vagen mucosa is sutured and the procedure is terminated by inserting a urethral foley catheter. The urethral catheter is removed on postoperative day 1 after the investigator evaluates the patient.
The VACS-Minifiks procedure is a vaginal application of a natural tissue repair procedure whose efficacy has been proven in the abdominal route. The second difference is that the procedure is performed through a single incision instead of the three incisions used in the Transobturator Tape-TOT operation. Thus, the same goal will be achieved in a less invasive way without placing an artificial permanent implant. There is no difference in parameters such as anesthesia, operation time, and discharge time.
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Department of Surgical Medical Sciences, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine
Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)
Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Izmir, Turkey (Türkiye)
One-Hour Pad Testing
This test is performed in a clinical setting. They include a filling phase, during which the patient spends 15 minutes drinking 500 ml of fluid. This is followed by a series of provocative maneuvers, such as coughing and jumping, to try to stimulate urinary leakage. Pads are weighed before and at the end of the test. Pad loss ≥ 2 g is designated as significant or a 'positive pad test.
Time frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months
Twenty-Four-Hour Pad Testing
This test is performed at home. Women are provided with a set of pads and advised not to modify their normal drinking or activities. The aim of such tests is to document leakage in a normal home environment. Pad loss greater than 4 g is designated as significant or a 'positive pad test'.
Time frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months
Number of Total Daily Incontinence Episodes
It was obtained using a three-day bladder diary. Objective. Meaningful for patients. Correlates with patients' daily activities. It may not be directly related to the severity of urine leakage. Subject to variability. Requires patient compliance. Day and night urine leakages were recorded separately by the patient for three days. The mean total score for a day was calculated.
Time frame: 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months
Evaluation of Quality of Life
The Incontinence Quality of Life Scale (I-QOL), consisting of 22 questions, was used to analyze the improvement in quality of life. It is a validated questionnaire. Higher scores indicate a better level of quality of life compared to lower scores.
Time frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 months
Urodynamic Assessment
The bladder is filled using the catheter and pressure measurements are continuously recorded and patient feedback regarding bladder sensation and urgency. Testing for stress incontinence is performed with coughing and straining. Leak Point Pressure and leakage episodes are recorded and analyzed to provide information regarding the type and severity of incontinence. At the end of the test, urine is passed to assess bladder function further and look for blockage of urinary flow.
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Time frame: Baseline, 12 months
Symptomatic Assessment for Overactivitive Bladder
Overactive Bladder Assessment Form (OAB-V8), was used for symptomatic evaluation and to assess the impact of symptoms on quality of life. A higher score means a worse outcome. Meaningful for patients. It is standardized. The patient's daily activities are taken into account.
Time frame: Baseline, 12 months
Assess the Impact of the Dysfunction on Quality of Life
Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI-6), was used for symptomatic evaluation and to assess the impact of symptoms on quality of life. A lesser score means a better outcome. Meaningful for patients. It is standardized. The patient's daily activities are taken into account.
Time frame: Baseline, 12 months
Symptomatic Impact Assessment
Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7), was used for symptomatic evaluation and to assess the impact of symptoms on quality of life. A lesser score means a better outcome. Meaningful for patients. It is standardized. The patient's daily activities are taken into account. OAB-V8, UDI-6, and IIQ-7 are validated questionnaires and subjective. It was not correlated with the severity of urine leakage.
Time frame: Baseline, 12 months
Assessment of Sexual Function
It was used for impact on sexual function using the Female Sexual Function Inventory (FSFI), a validated, gender-specific measure of sexual function.
Time frame: Baseline, 12 months
Assessment of Sexual Function during Intercourse
Coital Incontinence Questionnaire (CIQ) is a validated, gender-specific measure of sexual function. It was used for the impact on sexual function during Intercourse.
Time frame: Baseline, 12 months
Post-Voiding Residual (PVR) Urine Volume
Volume: Since the device has the potential to affect bladder emptying, measurement of PVR and clinical significance are important. PVR volume will be measured with a catheter as per standardization and an abnormal value above 100 ml will be accepted.
Time frame: Baseline, 12 months
Assessment of Serious Adverse Events and Adverse Events
Patients will be evaluated for adverse events intraoperatively and at visits.
Time frame: Intraoperative, postoperative 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months