[Data from our recent trials with tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure for surgical treatment of genuine urinary stress incontinence]

Abstract

There exist many surgical procedure for the treatment of urinary incontinence. Most of them require relatively extensive surgery and several days hospitalization. The advantage of tension-free vaginal tape procedure is a possibility to be performed on an ambulatory basis and under local anesthesia.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the results and morbidity of TVT procedure in genuine urinary stress incontinence.

Material and methods: The study group consists of 26 women, aged 39-69, suffering from genuine stress incontinence class I to III according to Stamey classification. The operation was carried out under epidural anesthesia. The procedure was performed as described by Ulmsten at al. The period of follow-up ranged from 3 to 20 month.

Results: The mean time of procedure was 26 minutes (range 18-43). The stay in hospital in 23 patient (88.46%) did not exceed 2 days. Three patients experienced urinary retention lasting four days requiring catheterization. No patients had bladder perforations or severe blood loss. No evidence of defect healing or rejection of the tape was found. Twenty four patients (92.31%) of patients were completely cured, 2 patients (7.69%) had considerably improved urinary continence.

Conclusions: Our early study indicate that TVT procedure is effective and safe method of the surgical treatment of urinary stress incontinence in women.