Comparing TVT Abbrevo and Miniarc sling in women with stress urinary incontinence

This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of two surgical treatments, Tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) Abbrevo and Miniarc sling, for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in women. This study found that both these surgical methods were very effective for treated SUI in women. 

Urinary incontinence is the unintentional loss of urine. Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) happens when physical movement or activity — such as coughing, sneezing, running or heavy lifting — puts pressure (stress) on the bladder. This can be more common in menopausal women or in women who have given birth. 

Surgical treatments can include the MiniArc and TVT Abbrevo mid-urethral slings (MUS). The MUS provides support for the urethra (where urine passes through from the bladder) and lowers the chance of SUI occurring again. It has been shown that TVT Abbrevo is associated with a shorter hospital stay and less pain. However, the best surgical treatment for SUI in women is still unknown.

This study included a total of 246 women with SUI. They were randomized to receive either the MiniArc (121 patients) or the TVT Abbrevo (125 patients). They were followed up for 12 months. 

Cure rates at 6 months were similar between the Miniarc (92.9%) and the TVT Abbrevo (95.9%). The cure rates at 12 months were also similar between the two procedures (90.5% vs 96.0%). Factors such as age, weight or menopausal status did not affect results. Side-effects such as pain were similar for both groups. 

This study found that the MiniArc and TVT Abbrevo procedures were similarly effective for women with SUI. 

This study only followed patients for 12 months. Longer-term studies are needed.