Long-term follow-up of the tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure for treating female stress urinary incontinence

Purpose: We wanted to evaluate the long-term results of the tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure for treating stress urinary incontinence in women. Materials and Methods: Of 211 women who underwent the TVT procedure for stress urinary incontinence, 124 were followed up for at least 5 years following surgery. Preoperatively, the patients were evaluated with history taking, physical examinations, one hour pad tests, urine analysis, urine cultures and complete multichannel urodynamic studies. Long-term evaluations were performed via questionnaires on the durability of the surgical outcome and the patients' satisfaction with the procedure. Results: The follow-up period was a mean of 66.8 months. Of the 124 patients who were followed up for at least 5 years, the TVT procedure remained successful in 95.2% (cured: 71.0%, improved: 24.2%). 115 patients (92.7%) were satisfied with the TVT procedure. Also, 103 (83.1%) patients would like to recommend the TVT procedure to others. There were no serious or long-term complications related to the procedure. The factors related with the cure rate of the TVT procedure were the age of the patient, the presence or absence of combined urge incontinence and a past history of pelvic surgery. Conclusions: The TVT procedure showed a good long-term cure rate for treating female stress urinary incontinence. The procedure was less effective for the women with proven associated urge incontinence, a positive past history of the pelvic surgery and an older age.