Impact of Autologous Transobturator Sling Surgery on Female Sexual Function: A Comparative Study with Mesh Used Mid-Urethral Sling Surgeries.

Introduction: To avoid mesh-related complications, autologous transobturator-tape (a-TOT) technique is a viable option in stress urinary incontinence (SUI) surgery. The method differs from TOT and retropubic tape (RT) in the usage of autologous tissue. We hypothesized that a-TOT improves female sexual dysfunction (FSD) more than TOT and RT.

Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study. Patients who underwent a-TOT, TOT, and RT surgeries were surveyed regarding the cure of SUI, complications, and FSD parameters. The groups were compared according to baseline and postoperative data.

Results: A-TOT, TOT, and RT groups included 37, 69, and 36 patients, respectively. The median follow-up time was 19 months. The groups were similar in terms of preoperative characteristics. The objective cure, subjective cure, and overall complication rates were comparable among the groups (p > 0.05). A-TOT group had significant improvements in mean female sexual function index (FSFI) scores, TOT group deteriorated, and RT group remained stable (p = 0.001, p = 0.001, and p = 0.226, respectively). The postoperative mean total FSFI scores were 25.73 ± 2.46, 23.17 ± 3.35, and 21.53 ± 2.47 for the a-TOT, TOT, and RT groups, respectively. The a-TOT group had better results than the TOT and RT groups (p < 0.05 and p < 0.05), and besides, the difference between the TOT and RT groups was statistically significant (p < 0.05). According to percentage changes in domain scores following the operations, the a-TOT group had significantly better results in desire, arousal, lubrication, satisfaction, and pain domains than the TOT group (p < 0.05) as well as better desire, arousal, and pain domains (p < 0.05) than the RT group.

Discussion/conclusions: Besides comparable outcomes in SUI treatment, the a-TOT technique provides improvements in female sexual functions while TOT worsens and RT does not change. Favorable outcomes in sexual functions caused by improvements in desire, arousal, satisfaction, and pain domains are observed following the a-TOT technique.