Are expensive materials really necessary to perform transobturator tape operations

Our aim was to assess the cost and effectiveness of transobturatuar tape (TOT) devices, made with tailored polypropylene mesh by the surgeon during the operation. Material and Method: Between May 2006 and June 2009, a total of 41 women underwent TOT procedure. The cure of SUI was defined as no urine leakage at cough test and not reporting any event of urinary incontinence. Result: The mean operative time was 22.3±5.3 minutes (range 14 to 33 minutes). No peroperative complications were recorded. Minor complications such as urinary tract infections, de novo urgency and postoperative fever occurred in 4.8% of patients. Two patients (4.8%) showed urinary retention. Overall 37 (90.2%) and 32 (78%) of patients were continent after 12 and 24 months, respectively. Discussion: TOT procedures performed with polipropilene mesh and no.1 silk line are as safe and effective as performing this operation with commercial TOT devices where as they are less expensive.