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Tension-free vaginal tape procedure (TVT) - safety method in treatment of stress urinary incontinence?

Publication |
2003

Abstract

Objective: An importance of knowledge of intraoperative and postoperative complications of tension-free vaginal tape procedure (TVT) in the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence.Design: A review article.Setting: Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, 2nd Medical Faculty Charles University andFaculty Hospital Motol, Prague.Subject: Complications connected with TVT procedure are classified as intraoperative and postoperative.Postoperative complications are divided into early and late. Bladder perforation is themost common type of intraoperative complication with 0 - 24% frequency.

Hemorrhage (less then2%) and injury of the obturator nerve (published as case reports only) belong among other intraoperativecomplications. Voiding difficulties with urinary retention and urge incontinence (about7%), urinary tract infections (about 4%) and retropubic hematoma (less than 2%) are most frequentpostoperative complications.

Intestinal perforation, urethral erosion, tape rejection and urethrovaginalfistula belong among very rare but serious complications of TVT procedure. Complicationsrate relates partly to the experience of the individual surgeon.Conclusion: The tension-free vaginal tape procedure is a safety and effective antiincontinent surgicalprocedure.

High cure rate, low complications rate and short recovery time facilitates thisprocedure for treatment of stress urinary incontinence to the future.