Assessment of the tension-free vaginal tape as a minimally invasive surgical treatment of genuine stress incontinence in women

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this prospective study was to follow-up and evaluates the results of tension-free vaginal tape as a minimal invasive surgical procedure in treating female genuine stress incontinence. A prospective study was performed for 25 women suffering from genuine stress incontinence. The mean age was 59 years [SD 9]. 23 women [92%] were multiparous while 2 were nulliparous. All of them were postmenopausal and were prepared by local conjugated estrogen for 3 months. Ten women were operated upon by local anesthesia and sedatives while the other 15 had pudendal nerve block. Mean operation time was 31 minutes [range 20-59]. Twenty-two women [88%] had the ability to micturate spontaneously after the operation. Three patients required catheterization for 3-7 days after the operation. The objective overall continence rates at 1-year were 80% [20/25]. Three women [12%] showed improvement. Recurrent incontinence developed in a total 2 patients. There was no tape rejection or healing complications. Tension-free vaginal tape is considered a minimal invasive procedure, safe and effective in treating female genuine stress incontinence. The technique is easy and can be performed under local anesthesia with the ability to discharge the patient within few hours