A minimum of 1-year follow-up for MiniArc single incision slings compared to Monarc transobturator slings: An analysis to evaluate durability of continence and medium-term outcomes

Aims To compare efficacy and safety of two commercially available single incision slings (SIS) and trans-obturator vaginal tapes (TOT), namely MiniArc™ and Monarc™ slings, and report the results at 5-year follow-up. Methods A retrospective-observational study of prospectively collected data was conducted on 381 women with primary stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in a single tertiary referral center. Patients treated with MiniArc™ and Monarc™ were compared. Data regarding intraoperative and post-operative outcomes were collected and compared. Kaplan–Meier analyses assessed continence rate (CR), objective cure (OC) rate, de novo overactive bladder symptoms (OAB), surgical failure (SF), and erosion free rates at 1-, 3-, and 5-year follow-up. The log-rank test was used to compare efficacy and complication between patients stratified according to the type of surgery. Results Median follow-up was 60 months. Of 381 patients, 215 (56%) were treated with Monarc™ slings and 166 (44%) with MiniArc™. The two groups were homogeneous in terms of pre-operative characteristics. At 5-year follow-up, no difference was found in CR between Monarc™ and Miniarc™ patients (87% vs. 89%; P = 0.41). Monarc™ showed better OAB free rates (97% vs. 92%; P = 0.012). No significant differences have been found in terms of SF, erosion, and OC rates. These results are limited by their retrospective nature. Conclusions We demonstrated that the short-term results of MiniArc™, are maintained over time, defining the comparability of the two slings at 5 years in terms of subjective and objective outcomes and complications. Neurourol. Urodynam. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.