Comparison of Autologous Rectus Fascia and Synthetic Sling Methods of Transobturator Mid-Urethral Sling in Urinary Stress Incontinence

Objective: This study aims to compare the efficacy and complications between mesh obtained from the autologous rectus fascia and synthetic mesh used in transobturator tape procedure in the surgical treatment of urinary stress incontinence. Methods: A total of 62 female patients who underwent operation due to urinary stress incontinence were included in the study. From these, 31 patients underwent autologous rectus fascia with mid-urethral sling (Group 1), and the remaining 31 patients underwent the same operation using synthetic multilaminar propylene sling (Group 2). The groups were compared preoperative and postoperative according to results of Urogenital Distress Inventory-Short Form (UDI-6) and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-Short Form (IIQ-7). Demographic characteristics, surgical features, and complications were also compared between the groups. P < 0.05 values were considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age was found as 54.74 +/- 0.87 in Group 1 and 55.58 +/- 0.76 in Group 2. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of the preoperative and postoperative UDI-6 results (p=0.258, p=0.349). Similarly, the preoperative and postoperative IIQ-7 results did not show a significant difference between the groups (p=0,483, p=0,367). There was also no significant difference in demographic characteristics and complications between the groups. Only the mean operational time was significantly longer in Group 1 (p=0.029). Conclusion: Transobturator tape procedure with autologous rectus fascia is as effective and safe as synthetic mesh. This procedure provides an inexpensive and consumable option without posing a risk of mesh erosion and with low complication rates.