Long-term results of the tension-free vaginal tape procedure in an unselected group: a 7-year follow-up study.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate long-term effectiveness and late complications after treatment of female stress urinary incontinence with tension-free vaginal tape (TVT).

METHODS

We performed a prospective observational study. Follow-up examinations included a standardized questionnaire, medical history, voiding diary, gynecologic examination with cough test, and introital ultrasound.

RESULTS

One-hundred-eight women (68.8%) from the initial cohort of 157 patients and 79.6% of those alive and able to cooperate were assessed. The median follow-up time was 102 months (range 85-124). The objective cure rate was 89.8%. The subjective cure rate was 82.4%, 13% had improved, 2.8% regarded the continence situation as unchanged, and 1.8% had an impaired stress urinary incontinence. No late-onset adverse effects of the surgery were found. Urge incontinence was the main reason for dissatisfaction with the surgery (in 90% of discontent patients).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data showed good results more than 7 years after TVT, demonstrating a high level of long-lasting efficacy for this minimally invasive incontinence procedure.