Comparison of the Distance Between the Transobturator Tape (TOT) and the Urethra According to Two Different Placement Techniques of the Tape (TOT 8/4 vs TOT 6/3)

Retrospective studies demonstrated that the distance between urethra and suburethral sling can vary considerably between 1 mm and 10 mm. In order to standardize the placement of the suburethral sling we choose two different distances between urethra and sling.

Transobturator tape (TOT) are placed according to the surgical technique described by Delorme et al. in patients with a previous cervico-sacropexy (CESA) or vagino-sacropexy (VASA). Before final fixation of the sling and suturing the vaginal skin a Hegar dilator sound with either 8 mm or 6 mm diameter is placed in the urethra and a second Hegar dilator sound with either 4 mm or 3 mm diameter is placed between the tape and the urethra. After suturing the vaginal skin the Hegar sounds are removed.

According to the used Hegar dilator sounds two different techniques are used:

TOT 8/4 or TOT 6/3.