An exploration into patient preference for injectable therapy over surgery in the treatment of female urinary incontinence.

OBJECTIVE To explore patient preference for injectable therapy over open surgery in the treatment of urinary incontinence. MATERIAL AND METHODS Fifty-eight female patients presented for treatment of urinary incontinence. During the initial interview process, they were asked to quantify their preference for injectable therapy over surgery by specifying the lowest success rate they would accept and still try injectable therapy. The results were summarized and assessed in relation to patient age and history of previous urogynecologic surgery. RESULTS The mean lowest acceptable success rate for all 58 surveyed patients was 34%, with 23 (40%) accepting a success rate of only 10%. Although not statistically significant, the data suggested that older patients may tend to accept lower success rates than younger patients (mean of 39% for patients aged less than 60 years compared to 22% for those aged 80 years or older). There was no difference in response based on history of previous urogynecologic surgery. CONCLUSION Patients appear willing to accept a relatively low success rate for injectable therapy compared to open surgery.