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Updated: Jun 15, 2026
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Published on: October 29, 2021
Tape functionality: position, change in shape, and outcome after TVT procedure--mid-term results
Jacek Kociszewski1, Oliver Rautenberg, Sebastian Kolben
1Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Evangelisches Krankenhaus, Hagen-Haspe, Hagen, Germany.
Introduction And Hypothesis:
This study evaluates the relevance of the tape position and change in shape (tape functionality) under in vivo conditions for mid-term outcome.
Methods:
Changes in the sonographic tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) position relative to the percentage urethral length and the tape-urethra distance were determined after 6 and 48 months in 41 women with stress urinary incontinence.
Results:
At 48 months, 76% (31/41) of women were cured, 17% (7/41) were improved, and 7% (3/41) were failures. Disturbed bladder voiding was present in 12% (5/41), de novo urge incontinence in 7% (3/41). The median TVT position was at 63% of urethral length. Median tape-urethra distance was 2.7 mm, ranging from 2.9 mm in continent patients without complications to 1.1 mm in those with obstructive complications. Patients with postoperative urine loss had a median distance of 3.9 mm. The tape was stretched at rest and C-shaped during straining in 15 of 41 women (37%) at 48 months (all continent). Patients with this tape functionality at 6 months were also cured at 48 months in 86% of cases (19/22), and only 14% (3/22) showed recurrent incontinence.
Conclusions:
Mid-term data suggest an optimal outcome if the tape is positioned at least 2 mm from the urethra at the junction of the middle and distal thirds. Patients with optimal tape functionality at 6 months are likely to show mid-term therapeutic success.
