Tension-free vaginal tape for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence: a 13-year prospective follow-up

To evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of tension-free vaginal tape (TVT).

Prospective observational study (Canadian Task Force Classification II-2).

Tertiary referral center in China.

Between January 2004 and December 2005, 85 consecutive patients who underwent TVT procedure were included. Patients with mixed incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse requiring surgery were excluded.

TVT procedure.

The primary outcomes were long-term postoperative complications. The secondary outcomes included long-term subjective satisfaction (Patient Global Impression of Improvement), objective cure rate (stress test), quality of life and sexual function. At the13-year follow-up, 70 patients (82%) were available for evaluation. De novo overactive bladder was observed in 15.7% of patients, and voiding symptoms were found in 17.1% of patients. None of the patients reported voiding dysfunction that needed treatment with tape removal or catheterization. Tape exposure occurred in 2.9% of patients. The subjective satisfaction rate and objective cure rate were 78.6% and 81.4%, respectively.

TVT is a safe and effective treatment for stress urinary incontinence, even at the 13-year follow-up. The prevalence rates of overactive bladder and voiding symptoms are increased with advancing age and should not be considered long-term postoperative complications.

Journal of minimally invasive gynecology. 2018 Aug 27 [Epub ahead of print]

Ye Zhang, Xiaochen Song, Meng Mao, Jia Kang, Fangfang Ai, Lan Zhu

Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, No.1 Shuaifuyuan Road, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China., Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, No.1 Shuaifuyuan Road, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China. Electronic address: .