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

Purpose: We evaluated the efficacy and safety of the tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure for the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence over a 6-year period. Materials and Methods:We reviewed retrospectively our experience with 63 patients who underwent a TVT procedure for stress urinary incontinence, between March 1999 and March 2000.The preoperative evaluations included a comprehensive medical history, physical examination, urinalysis, urine culture, one hour pad test, 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:The TVT procedure remained successful in 95.2% (cured 81.0%, improved 14.3%) and 93.7% (cured 77.8%, improved 15.9%) at the 1 and 6-year follow-up, respectively.The satisfaction rates were 93.7% and 92.1%, at the 1 and 6-year follow-up, respectively.There were no serious or long-term complications related to the procedure.Conclusion: The TVT procedure seems to be a minimally invasive, safe and effective surgical procedure for the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence, with long-term durability of continence and minimal complications related to the surgery.(J.