Long-term efficacy of the tension-free vaginal tape procedure for the treatment of urinary incontinence: a retrospective follow-up 11.5 years post-operatively.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS:

The aim was to evaluate the long-term cure rates and the late complications of the tension-free vaginal tape (TVT).

METHODS:

One hundred and forty-seven women with stress incontinence underwent surgery at our clinic between 1994 and 1997. At the time of follow-up, 128 were alive, 104 attended an objective evaluation at the clinic, while 20 women were contacted by telephone for an extensive interview. Eighty-four percent were assessed in a retrospective study 10-13 (11.5) years post-operatively. The evaluation included a stress test and, if this test was positive, also a 24-h pad-weighing test, the same questionnaire about urinary symptoms as that used pre-operatively and a visual analogue scale.

RESULTS:

The objective cure rate was 84%. The subjective cure rate was 77%, while 18% had improved. Ninety-four percent of the patients were satisfied with the surgical result. No late adverse effects of the operation were found.

CONCLUSIONS:

The TVT procedure is effective and safe for more than 10 years.

• Authors: Ingegerd Olsson, Anna-Karin Abrahamsson, Ulla-Beth Kroon
• Journal: International urogynecology journal (Int Urogynecol J) Vol. 21 Issue 6 Pg. 679-83 (Jun 2010) ISSN: 1433-3023 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 20069417 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Aged
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Middle Aged
• Patient Satisfaction
• Retrospective Studies
• Suburethral Slings
• Urinary Incontinence, Stress (surgery)