The use of oestradiol therapy in postmenopausal women after TVT-O anti-incontinence surgery.

Author(s): Liapis A, Bakas P, Georgantopoulou C, Creatsas G

Affiliation(s): Department of Urogynaecology and Pelvic Floor Disorders, University of Athens, Aretaieion Hospital, Athens, Greece. eurotas@panafonet.gr

Publication date & source: 2010-05, Maturitas., 66(1):101-6. Epub 2010 Mar 16.

Publication type: Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether patients who were treated with TVT-O procedure for urodynamic stress incontinence had a significant improvement in their urodynamic findings and their post-operative symptoms (frequency, urgency, nocturia) if they were treated post-operatively with vaginal oestradiol for 6 months compared to the non-treated group. METHODS: Prospective randomised study. 190 patients were asked to participate in our study. Finally, a total of 92 patients in group 1 and 91 patients in group 2 completed the study. In group 1, which was the treatment group, patients having the TVT-O procedure for urodynamic stress incontinence were instructed to use post-operatively oestradiol tablets, 25 micrograms (Vagifem, Novo Nordisk) vaginally, once daily, nocte, for 2 weeks and then twice weekly for 6 months. The patients in group 2 (control group) had the TVT-O procedure only. All patients were reviewed in 2 months and again in 6 months time. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups concerning pre-operative and post-operative haemoglobin, operative time, hospital stay or return to work. The within group analysis did not show significant differences between pre-operative and post-operative urodynamic data in both groups. Patients treated with vaginal estradiol post-operatively showed a statistically significant reduction in relation to the symptoms of urgency and frequency but not in relation to nocturia and urge incontinence compared to the non-treated group. There is no difference in relation to the efficacy of TVT-O procedure between the groups at 6 months follow-up. CONCLUSION: It appears that vaginal oestradiol treatment could be offered to postmenopausal patients after a TVT-O procedure having the symptoms of frequency and urgency provided they are aware of the lack of evidence regarding long term benefit. Copyright 2010. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.