Transvaginal / TVT [Tension-Free Vaginal Tape] and Stress Urinary Incontinence in Women

ABSTRACT

Objective: Evaluation of the efficacy and the safety of the TVT as a surgical treatment for the female stress incontinence. Material and methods: Prospective non-randomized study undertaken between January 1999 and December 2000 concerning 40 women admitted to the Hotel-Dieu de France Hospital, with specific inclusion criteria. The surgical procedure used is the TVT as described by Ulmsten. Patients' evaluation is made through valid criteria shown in the literature. Results: The mean follow-up is 12 months. The mean operation time is 37 minutes. The mean duration of hospitalization is 2.6 days. Postoperative complications were transient urinary retention in 17.5% of cases, and lower urinary tract infection in 10% of patients. One case of bladder perforation was noted. The mean difference between the numbers of protections used daily before and after TVT is 2.03 +/- 1.89 [p < 10[-4]]. 87.5% of patients were totally and objectively continent. The mean post-voiding residue is 85 +/- 91 ml. Bladder instability symptoms were significantly reduced [RR = 0.37]. 97.5% of patients are cured or improved by the operation. Conclusion: The TVT is an effective procedure and easy to perform. The results obtained so far are promising. The failure rate is about 2.5%. A standardization of the indications is preferred for future studies