Does trocar puncture of the bladder during midurethral sling impact postoperative urinary storage and voiding symptoms?

Introduction and hypothesis The incidence of trocar bladder puncture during midurethral sling (MUS) surgery varies widely. We aim to further characterize risk factors for bladder puncture and examine its long-term impact on storage and emptying. Methods This is an Institutional Review Board-approved, retrospective chart review of women who underwent MUS surgery at our institution from 2004 to 2018 with >= 12 months of follow-up. Unless prolonged catheterization was necessary, a voiding trial was performed prior to discharge, or the next morning in outpatients, regardless of puncture. Preoperative and postoperative details were obtained from office charts and operative records. Results Of 1,500 women, 1,063 (71%) had retropubic (RP) and 437 (29%) had transobturator MUS surgery. Mean follow-up was 34 months. Thirty-five women (2.3%) sustained a bladder puncture. RP approach and lower BMI were significantly associated with puncture. No statistical association was found between bladder puncture and age, previous pelvic surgery, or concomitant surgery. Mean day of discharge and day of successful voiding trial were not statistically different between the puncture and nonpuncture groups. There was no statistically significant difference in de novo storage and emptying symptoms between the two groups. Fifteen women in the puncture group had cystoscopy during follow-up and none had bladder exposure. Level of the resident performing trocar passage was not associated with bladder puncture. Conclusions Lower BMI and RP approach are associated with bladder puncture during MUS surgery. Bladder puncture is not associated with additional perioperative complications, long-term urinary storage/voiding sequelae, or delayed bladder sling exposure. Standardized training minimizes bladder punctures in trainees of all levels.