Transurethral resection of tension-free vaginal tape penetrating the urethra.
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.
Werner
Matthias
M
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cantonal Hospital, Lucerne, Switzerland.
Najjari
Leila
L
Schuessler
Bernhard
B
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