Risk factors for long-term failure of the retropubic tension-free vaginal tape procedure

Abstract

Aims: To investigate potential risk factors for long-term (10-year) subjective and objective failure of the retropubic tension-free vaginal tape procedure (TVT).

Methods: Secondary risk analysis was performed using data from a recently published multi-center study that were merged with additional preoperative and operative data individually stored in the Norwegian Female Incontinence Registry (NFIR). Subjective data from 483 women and objective data from 327 women were obtained 10 years after retropubic TVT surgery. A validated questionnaire was used for subjective outcome data and a stress test for objective outcome data. Uni- and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed using preoperative and operative variables extracted from the NFIR. The outcomes were 10-year subjective failure defined as women stating not cured, and objective failure was defined as ≥1 g urinary leakage during stress testing.

Results: Age ≥56 years at the time of TVT surgery was associated with both long-term subjective failure (adjusted OR: 2.15, CI: 1.40-3.30) and long-term objective failure (adjusted OR: 2.81, CI: 1.30-6.09). Mixed incontinence was associated with subjective, but not objective failure if the urgency incontinence component was severe (adjusted OR: 2.33, CI: 1.27-4.28). Surgical complications occurring at or immediately following surgery were associated with both outcomes in the univariate analyses, but were only an independent risk factor for subjective failure in the multivariate analysis (adjusted OR: 3.02, CI: 1.53-5.95).

Conclusions: Age ≥56 years, a severe preoperative urgency incontinence component and surgical complications seem to represent independent risk factors for long-term (10-year) failure.

Keywords: follow-up studies; mid-urethral slings; stress; urinary incontinence.