Correction of cystocele and stress incontinence with anterior transobturator mesh

Abstract Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of anterior transobturator mesh for treating cystocele with or without urinary stress incontinence. Study design Eighty-five women with cystocele, with or without USI, underwent anterior transobturator vaginal mesh operation. All patients were examined after 4 months. Seventy-two of them were evaluated via questionnaire after 7 months with respect to complications, the effectiveness of the operation and its influence on their quality of life. Women with urinary stress incontinence in addition to cystocele (62.5%) underwent suburethral mesh placement with the anterior mesh-arms used like a transobturator sling. Results Recurrence of stage 1 cystoceles were seen in 9.6% of patients but no recurrence of symptomatic cystocele was observed. Mesh erosion of the central anterior vaginal wall appeared in 5.9%. Three revisions but no mesh explantation became necessary. Urinary stress incontinence was cured in 83.3%, while it improved in 9.3%. Urge incontinence was cured in 28.6% of patients and improved in 17.5%. De novo urge incontinence occurred four times and de novo urinary stress incontinence was found in three patients. Among sexually active women, 27% reported improved intercourse, while 24.3% reported a change for the worse. Quality of life improved in 81.9%, and 95.8% would undergo the procedure again. Conclusion Anterior transobturator mesh is a safe method to treat cystocele with or without stress urinary incontinence and yields good initial results.