Evolution of surgical operations for female for stress urinary incontinence in gynaecology departments of Parisian public hospitals between 2002 and 2006

OBJECTIVE: To appreciate the evolution of the current surgical practice for female for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in the gynaecologic surgery departments of Parisian public hospitals in three different periods of 12 months (2002-2003, 2003-2004, and 2006). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The 16 departments were surveyed by postal questionnaire about their surgical practice for the treatment of female SUI. The number, the type of operation, the type of suburethral tapes and their surgical routes were detailed. RESULTS: The participation rate in the survey was 87.5% (14/16) for the first two studied periods and 75% (12/16) for the last one. The number of SUI procedure decreases between the three periods (586, 505, and 263 procedures, respectively; p<0.001). Suburethral slings represent the technique of choice for SUI (86.2% in 2002-2003; 92.7% in 2003-2004, and 98.1% in 2006). Other practices are exceptional. The transobturator approach has widely progressed and became the preferred one in 2006 (31.1%; 64.5%; 95.4% in 2006; p<0.001). No transobturator route was privileged. TVT procedures have decreased between the three studied periods (48.3%, 36.5%, and 4.6% in 2006; p<0.001). TVT-O is the preferred sling in 2006 (120/258, 46.5% of suburethral tapes). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Suburethral tape placement is nowadays the main surgical treatment for female SUI amongst members in gynaecology departments in Parisian public hospitals. The transobturator approach is preferred.