Comparison of suprapubic versus transobturator surgical treatments of female stress urinary incontinence.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to retrospectively compare surgical outcomes of the suprapubic arc sling (SPARC) and transobturator suburethral tape (MONARC) for treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in women.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 74 women treated for SUI using MONARC were compared with 32 treated using SPARC. Postoperative evaluations were conducted at 3-6 months, including 1-hour pad test, cough stress test, uroflowmetry and residual urine volume. Subjective outcomes were evaluated using telephone interviews. Perioperative complications were investigated from chart records.

RESULTS: No significant difference was found between the SPARC and MONARC treatment groups in terms of the objective cure rate at 3 months postoperatively (90.6% vs. 80.6%; p = 0.258). However, a significant difference was found between the subjective cure rates of the SPARC and MONARC groups (77.4% vs. 97.3%; p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Both MONARC and SPARC are safe and effective for surgical treatment of SUI.