Follow-up of TVT operations in 1,113 women with mixed urinary incontinence at 7 and 38 months

Abstract

A follow-up was done 7 and 38 months after tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) operation in 1,113 women with mixed urinary incontinence. Mixed incontinence and predominant bother were subjectively defined. The results were analyzed according to the women's predominant bother: stress incontinence, urge incontinence, or stress and urge incontinence equally. Across the groups, stress incontinence was cured in 87 and 83% of the women at 7 and 38 months, respectively, with no difference between the three groups. Women with predominant stress incontinence had significantly better results at both 7 and 38 months than those in the other groups, especially those predominantly bothered by urge incontinence. Women with mixed incontinence were significantly more often cured both objectively and subjectively at 7 than 38 months. Only 11% of the women experienced an increase in urge incontinence 38 months after TVT. Before a TVT operation, women with mixed urinary incontinence should be informed that their prognosis depends on their predominant bother. TVT is an appropriate treatment in mixed urinary incontinence, but women with predominant urge incontinence have poorer results than those with predominant stress incontinence.