Three-year Outcome of the Tension-free Vaginal Tape Procedure for Treatment of Female Stress Urinary Incontinence

Song, Seunghun; Hong, Bumsik; Choo, Myung Soo

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate the 3 year results of the tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure for the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Of 41 women that underwent the TVT procedure, between March 1999 and December 1999, for stress urinary incontinence, 30 were followed up for at least 3 years following surgery. The preoperative evaluations included a comprehensive medical history, a through physical examination, urinalysis, urine culture, voiding diary, 1-hour pad test and a complete multichannel urodynamic study, including valsalva leak point pressure (VLPP) and maximal urethral closing pressure (MUCP). Long-term evaluations were performed by questionnaires on the durability of surgical outcome and the patients' satisfaction of the procedure.
RESULTS
Of the 30 patients followed-up, the tension-free vaginal tape procedure remained successful in 93.3% (cured 80%, improved 13.3%) 3 years after the procedure. Two patients, with a VLPP lower than 60cmH2O and a MUCP lower than 40cmH2O, failed to gain continence after the procedure. There were no serious or long-term complications related to the procedure. The satisfaction rates 1 and 3 years after the surgery were 90 and 86.6%, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
We consider the TVT procedure to be an effective treatment for stress urinary incontinence, with long-term durability of continence and minimal complications related to the surgery.