Comment on “A meta-analysis of the predictive values of intraoperative cough test for postoperative outcomes in women undergoing sling procedures” by Wang et al.

Excerpt

We would like to thank Shin-Yi Wang and co-authors for referring to our randomized controlled trial entitled “Comparison of two retropubic tension-free vaginal tape procedures in women with stress urinary incontinence: a randomized controlled multicenter trial” [1] in their meta-analysis about the predictive value of intraoperative cough test maneuver for postoperative outcomes in women undergoing sling procedures. It was the aim of our randomized controlled non-inferiority trial to compare two different suburethral retropubic sling types regarding their immediate, i.e., perioperative and mid-term outcomes. As mentioned by Wang et al., both analyzed sling procedures can successfully treat female stress urinary incontinence. However, postoperative voiding problems are one of the major perioperative complications. Although analyzing the predictive value of the intraoperative cough test maneuver itself was not one of our primary or secondary outcome parameters, we discussed the potentially missing benefit of the intraoperative cough test maneuver regarding postoperative cure rates or increased risk of retention immediately after sling insertion, as described by Kang et al. in 2013 [2]. …