Suprapubic Arch Procedure for the Treatment of Urinary Incontinence in Elderly Female Patients

Purpose: There has been considerable controversy regarding the treatment of urinary incontinence (UI). The aim of our study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of the suprapubic arch (SPARC) procedure for the management of UI in elderly women. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 301 women who underwent the SPARC procedure for SUI. The patients were divided into two groups: group A (<65 years) and group B (≥65 years). Among these patients, women with mixed urinary incontinence (MUI) were assigned to either group C (<65 years) or group D (≥65 years). The objective and subjective SPARC success rates were evaluated postoperatively. Results: There were 258 patients in group A, 43 patients in group B, 44 patients in group C, and 11 patients in group D. The objective surgical success rates for groups A and B were 97.7% and 95.3%, respectively (p=0.304). The subjective success rates for groups A and B were 97.3% and 95.3%, respectively (p=0.311). Recommendation rates for the SPARC procedure were 93% in group A and 93% in group B (p=0.5). In patients with MUI (groups C and D), the objective success rates were 93.2% (group C) and 81.8% (group D) (p=0.286). The subjective success rates were 93.2% (group C) and 81.8% (group D) (p=0.286). The complication rates were similar between the two study groups: 5.4% (group A) vs 7.0% (group B) (p=0.359). Conclusions: The SPARC procedure is effective and safe, and it offers a satisfactory success rate in elderly women with UI. (Korean J Urol 2008;49: 604-608) 󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏