This study compared the effectiveness of two surgical techniques used to treat stress urinary incontinence in women.

Researchers concluded that the new Ajust procedure was safe and effective for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence. Ajust was associated with less surgical side effects as well as a shorter recovery time.

Vaginal sling procedures are currently the most common type of surgery used to help control stress urinary incontinence. Some studies have found that early surgical treatments for incontinence are more effective than other therapies (such as pelvic floor muscle training). However, surgery entails several risks (including damage to organs such as the bladder, blood vessels and nerves), and often involves a painful recovery. Ajust (adjustable single-incision sling) is a new type of vaginal sling surgery that is less invasive, and may improve surgical outcomes.

368 women with persistent stress urinary incontinence were included in this study. They were randomly assigned to receive treatment with either the new Ajust surgical approach, or with the current standard of care; TVT-surgery (tension-free vaginal tape surgery). Women were followed for up to one year following surgery.

Pain after surgery, as reported by the patients, was significantly lower in the group that underwent the new Ajust treatment. The average surgery time was shorter for the new Ajust procedure compared to standard TVT-surgery (14.4 minutes compared to 25.2 minutes). The amount of blood loss during surgery was also reduced among women undergoing the new Ajust procedure. Recovery from surgery was shorter among women undergoing Ajust, as was the overall time spent in hospital. Women receiving Ajust reported less time until returning to normal life.

At 1-year follow-up, both types of surgery showed similar outcomes in regard to urine continence and restored quality of life. 94.4% of the patients in the Ajust group, and 90.7% of women in the TVT group, reported a big improvement in urinary function.

Researchers concluded that the new Ajust (adjustable single-incision sling) approach is a simple, safe and effective treatment for stress urinary incontinence. 

Because this is a new surgical procedure, larger clinical trials are needed to confirm the results of this study.