This retrospective cohort study [1] was aimed at determining whether age has an influence on the surgical outcome after trans-obturator tape (TOT) and transvaginal tape (TVT) procedure in women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Both TOT and TVT are minimally invasive surgical procedures and have equal outcomes with regard to cure rate across age groups. As the population of elderly patients increases, the authors of this study postulate that midurethral sling procedures need to be evaluated regarding efficacy and safety among older women.

A population of 262 women with SUI and previous TOT (n = 216) or TVT (n = 45) procedure comprising the age groups ≤50 years (n = 81), 50–59 years (n = 97), and ≥60 years (n = 84) was included. Primary outcome was the subjective cure rate after surgery, defined as “absence of recurrence or persistent urine leakage symptoms” and evaluated via interviews (median follow-up time 26.4 months). Results showed similar subjective cure rates across the age groups (96.3 vs 94.8 vs 97.6%, p = 0.623). There was also no significant difference in objective outcomes such as operation time, blood loss, length of hospital stay or overall complication rate among the age groups and when comparing TOT vs TVT procedure according to age group.

The findings of this study once again support the efficacy and low complication rate of the TVT and TOT procedures in women with SUI. An overall subjective cure rate of 96% (at least at a median follow-up time of approximately 2 years after surgery) is in line with previous literature. Despite a significantly higher rate of comorbidities among the eldest age group (≥60 years), cure rates and complication rates did not differ. It seems reconfirming that both procedures, TOT and TVT, can be considered safe and efficient at all ages.