Tension-free vaginal tape procedure after previous failure in incontinence surgery

To study the efficacy of the tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure for patients with recurrent genuine stress incontinence.

Forty-one women, including 11 with urethral sphincter incompetence (mean age 49.6 years, range 37 to 66), were treated for recurrent genuine stress incontinence with TVT procedure under local or regional anesthesia. Urodynamic studies, a 1-hour pad test, introital ultrasonography on the urethra, a cotton swab test, and subjective symptom analysis were documented before the procedure and at 1 year postoperatively.

Of the 41 women, 34 (82.9%) were cured, 2 improved, and 5 (12.2%) had treatment failure. Among the women with failure, three had urethral sphincter incompetence with a fixed urethra. No major surgical complications occurred. Four bladder perforations were noted. The 1-hour pad test reduced from a mean of 27.3 to 1.7 g (P <0.001). The operating time was 22 minutes (range 15 to 44), and the postoperative hospital stay was 22.4 hours (range 12 to 72). Spontaneous voiding with adequate postvoid residual urine volume was noted for all patients by the fourth day postoperatively. The preoperative and postoperative cotton swab result was 40.0 degrees (range 10 degrees to 80 degrees ) and 38.7 degrees (range 10 degrees to 76 degrees ), respectively, without statistically significant changes. Of the 36 cured and improved patients, 31 (86.1%) had a cotton swab test result of 30 degrees or more before and after the TVT procedure. Urodynamic parameters related to the voiding dysfunction showed no significant difference before and after the surgery. Urodynamic assessment showed no significant difference in the filling, voiding, and urethral pressure profile (dynamic and static) variables, except for significant increases in the maximal flow rate, bladder volume at the first desire to void, and cystometric capacity, which were measured preoperatively and postoperatively. No de nova detrusor instability or micturition disturbances were found in the cystometric study.

The TVT procedure for the treatment of recurrent genuine stress incontinence is a safe, effective, and minimally invasive option requiring only a short hospital stay. However, the immobile urethra seems to be a risk factor for failure. Long-term follow-up is needed to determine whether this surgery achieves long-lasting results.