title: Transurethral resection of tension-free vaginal tape penetrating the urethra.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The penetration of a tension-free vaginal tape into the urethra is a rarely described complication. It might occur much more often, given the common clinical practice of tension-free vaginal tape implantation. We describe a less invasive approach to resection than the transvaginal urethral resection method previously reported in the literature.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 68-year-old woman with stress urinary incontinence underwent a tension-free vaginal tape procedure. After surgery, the woman complained about pain and voiding disorders. A urodynamic investigation performed 14 months later revealed an infravesical obstruction caused by parts of the tension-free vaginal tape penetrating the urethra. After transurethral resection of the mesh, voiding returned to normal, and the patient remained subjectively and objectively continent.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The transurethral approach described is a minimally invasive and successful technique that should be tried before embarking on major destructive and reconstructive surgery on the urethra.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cantonal Hospital, Lucerne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Werner
authors.forename: Leila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Najjari
authors.forename: Bernhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Schuessler
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013526:Surgical Mesh / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014524:Urethral Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D014550:Urinary Incontinence, Stress / Q000601:surgery*; D013520:Urologic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014621:Vagina / Q000601:surgery