ABSTRACT
To evaluate the therapeutic results of a minimally invasive anti-incontinence operative procedure-the tension free vaginal tape [TVT]-obturator. With this prospective, observational, and consecutive patient series, TVT-obturator surgery was performed, according to de Leval [2003], on 44 patients with urodynamically proven stress urinary incontinence. Follow-up lasted 3-24 month. The demographic and therapeutic aspects of the patient group data were evaluated. The TVT-obturator required neither bladder catheterization nor intraoperative diagnostic cystoscopy. 4 patients [9.09%] with postoperative voiding difficulties had urethral bladder catheterization for 1-4 d; there were 4 cases [9.09%] of early therapeutic failure rate for the TVT-catheterization for 1-4 d; there were 4 cases [9.09%] of early therapeutic failure rate for the TVT-obturator, no postoperative field infections were noted. Use of the TVT-obturator, a novel midurethral sling, seems to reduce the incidence of some of the operative complications novel midurethral sling, seems to reduce the incidence of some of the operative complications associated with the TVT, primarily bladder penetration and postoperative outlet obstruction. The early therapeutic results and the cost-effectiveness of the TVT-obturator appear similar to those reported for common TVT surgery