TVT-O versus Monarc after a 2–4-year follow-up: a prospective comparative study

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this study was to compare outcome and quality of life of tension-free vaginal tape “inside-out” (TVT-O) and Monarc transobturator tapes after 2–4 years. METHODS: The method used was a prospective comparative study. Participants (n = 191) were assigned to either a TVT-O (n = 93) or a Monarc (n = 98) procedure. Cure of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) was defined as the statement of the woman of not experiencing any loss of urine upon physical exercise. RESULTS: Cure rates after 2–4 years were 72% for TVT-O and 65% for Monarc, while improvement was observed in, respectively, 12% and 21% (p = 0.3). There was a statistically significant improvement in quality of life but no differences were found between both procedures. CONCLUSIONS: After a 2–4-year follow-up period, both procedures were equally safe and effective in curing SUI.