Effect of surgeon volume on long-term quality of life outcomes following tension-free vaginal tape surgery

Introduction and hypothesis The role of the general obstetrician/gynaecologist completing routine urogynaecology procedures is controversial, and some research has suggested that these patients should be referred to high-volume subspecialists. In response to recent public and regulatory scrutiny of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International Urogynecology Journal 2022-08, Vol.33 (8), p.2099-2106
Main Authors: Baxter, Harold, Carter, Edward, Marris, Kelsi, Nugent, Rachael, Weaver, Edward
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Gynecology
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Original Article
Polls & surveys
Quality of life
Surgeons
Surgery
Urology
Vagina
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Summary:Introduction and hypothesis The role of the general obstetrician/gynaecologist completing routine urogynaecology procedures is controversial, and some research has suggested that these patients should be referred to high-volume subspecialists. In response to recent public and regulatory scrutiny of vaginal mesh procedures, credentialling guidelines have been released in Australia requiring surgeons to demonstrate a minimum caseload prior to performing tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) surgery for incontinence. Hence, a retrospective cohort study was conducted to evaluate the long-term quality of life outcomes of TVT procedures for high- and low-volume surgeons. Methods One hundred seventy patients who had undergone TVT surgery between 1 May 2011 and 1 May 2016 in the Sunshine Coast health district were invited to complete the UDI-6 (Urinary Distress Inventory) and IIQ-7 (Incontinence Impact Questionnaire) surveys. Perioperative information was accessed from available health records. Mean UDI-6 and IIQ-7 scores were compared for high- and low-volume groups, and the groups were assessed for confounding factors. Results Of the 170 patients eligible, 83 completed the surveys (47.2%). No differences in UDI-6 or IIQ-7 scores were found between high- and low-volume surgeons ( p  > 0.05). High-volume surgeons completed more concomitant procedures amongst survey respondents ( p  
ISSN:0937-3462
1433-3023
DOI:10.1007/s00192-021-04714-0