title: Transurethral holmium laser intravesical tape excision following TVT procedure: results from seven patients in a 12-month follow-up.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and the safety of the holmium:YAG laser for intravesical mesh excision in female patients with urinary bladder erosion complicated tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between June 2, 2008 and December 31, 2009, seven patients who underwent laser excision of an intravesically protruding tape were followed up every 3 months for a total period of 1 year by disease-specific questionnaires, physical examination, cough stress test, urine analysis, urine bacterial culture, ultrasound and uroflowmetry. Filling cystometry was offered preoperatively and at the 3rd month, while cystoscopy was offered preoperatively and at the 1st month. The presenting symptoms were dysuria, urgency, hematuria, and recurrent lower urinary tract infections. Holmium laser was used for ablation and removal of the tape. The postoperative period was uneventful.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a substantial improvement in the urgency status, in the maximum flow rate (Q (max)) from 11.29 ml/s to 19.43 ml/s, in the voided volume (VV) from 185 ml to 251.43 ml and in the maximum cystometric capacity (C) from 237.86 ml to 310.64 ml pre- and postoperative, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Holmium laser ablation represents a simple, safe and efficacious procedure to manage intravesical mesh complications following TVT procedure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Hippokrateion General Hospital of Thesaloniki, Konstantinoupoleos 49, POB 546 42, Thessaloniki, Greece. vsakkalis@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Vasileios I
authors.initials: VI
authors.lastname: Sakalis
authors.forename: Anastasia Chr
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Gkotsi
authors.forename: Argyrios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Triantafyllidis
authors.forename: Apostolos
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giouris
authors.forename: Stavros
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Charalambous
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D020878:Device Removal / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D057605:Natural Orifice Endoscopic Surgery / Q000379:methods*; D056887:Pelvic Organ Prolapse / Q000601:surgery*; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D053825:Suburethral Slings / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013997:Time Factors; D014521:Urethra; D001745:Urinary Bladder Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014563:Urodynamics