[The devices used to correct the urinary incontinence by tension-free meshes. Are all them equals?]

Since 1996, when Ulmsten described the TVT procedure (Tension-free Vaginal Tape) for correction of women urinary stress incontinence, a large number of different devices have been manufactured with that purpose. Results depend not only of the surgical procedure but also of two principal factors: 1. Characteristics and properties of the mesh. 2. System and way for the implantation. Properties of the mesh used are probably as important as surgical technique. It's not possible to assume that results achieved with the TVT device will be similar with other meshes. Further randomized studies will be necessary to make these affirmations. In this paper we analyse properties of the mesh, characteristics of the implantation system and the influence of those factors in the surgical results. Finally, we describe some of the devices available and the mesh characteristics of each one.