Immediate complications of tension-free vaginal tape (TVT): results of a French survey.
BACKGROUND
The aim was to evaluate morbidity following operation using tension-free vaginal tape (TVT).


METHODS
Between June 2002 and June 2003, a questionnaire was sent to French gynecologists and urologists. Participants reported the number of TVT procedures performed before January 2002, number of minor or major pre- and post-operative complications.


RESULTS
The questionnaire was returned by 92 participants (21 urologists and 71 gynecologists) who reported 12,280 TVT procedures (median: 100, minimum: 5, maximum: 2100). Overall, 901 preoperative bladder injuries were reported (7.34%). For 809 patients (6.59%), complete post-operative urinary retention requiring catheterization was noted. There were 26 cases of vaginal defect healing (0.21%). Retropubic or vulvovaginal hematoma was reported for 39 patients (0.32%). Ten major organ injuries were reported (0.08%): one obturator nerve injury, three bowel perforations, four vessel injuries and two ureteral injuries.


CONCLUSIONS
The risk of major complications following the use of tension-free vaginal tape is low. However, these potential complications require experienced surgeons for the practice of tension-free vaginal tape.
Agostini
Aubert
A
Service d'Obstétrique et de Gynécologie (Pr Blanc), Hôpital La Conception, 147 Boulevard Baille, 13385 Marseille Cedex 05, France. aubert.agostini@wanadoo.fr
Bretelle
Florence
F
Franchi
Fabrice
F
Roger
Valérie
V
Cravello
Ludovic
L
Blanc
Bernard
B
D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006176:Gynecology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009017:Morbidity; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000293:injuries; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000601:surgery*; D013520:Urologic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014572:Urology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014621:Vagina / Q000601:surgery*