title: An assessment of the early surgical outcome and urodynamic effects of the tension-free vaginal tape (TVT).
abstract: Fifty-two women underwent a tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure for genuine stress incontinence (GSI). Preoperative assessment included a detailed medical history, pelvic examination, a 1-hour pad test with a comfortably full bladder, and urinary culture. Thirteen of the 52 women were excluded for various reasons. Both before and 12-24 months postoperatively all patients had a full urodynamic investigation using microtip transducer catheters. The study subjects were instructed to maintain a 1-week baseline urinary diary 1 week before the operation, and postoperative urodynamic assessment as well. The period of follow-up ranged from 12 to 24 months (median 19 months). Another 1-hour pad test with a comfortably full bladder and urinary culture were carried out thereafter. Comparisons of the 39 women pre- and postoperatively found a significantly improved 1-hour pad test (34.9 +/- 34.7 vs 8.3 +/- 24.0, P<0.001). Analyzing the urodynamic effects of surgery revealed no significant postoperative changes except for the maximal urethral closure pressure (MUCP) at rest. An objective assessment using a pad test revealed the success rate (cure plus improved) to be 90% (35/39) and the failure rate 10% (4/ 39). TVT can thus be considered a safe and effective procedure for GSI in women. Moreover, the urodynamic effects of surgery were not found to be critical to success.
authors.affiliation: Chang Gung University, School of Medicine, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D011312:Pressure; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014521:Urethra / Q000503:physiopathology; D014550:Urinary Incontinence, Stress / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014563:Urodynamics / Q000502:physiology*