The authors followed 51 patients for at least 17 years postoperatively from 110 women with SUI who underwent the TVT procedure between March 1999 and December 2000. Preoperative evaluation of the patients was performed with history taking, physical examinations, one-hour pad tests, urine analysis, urine cultures, and complete multichannel urodynamic studies. Long-term evaluations were performed via questionnaires on the durability of the surgical outcome and the patients' satisfaction with the procedure. All the patients were asked about their voiding symptoms as well as any recurrence by conducting detailed telephone interviews.
The mean followed up was 207.62 ± 8.46 months. Of the 51 patients who were followed up for at least 17 years, the patients were classified according to their symptom grades; grade I (n=13, 25.49%), grade II (n=28, 54.90%) and grade III (n=10, 19.61%). The TVT procedure remained successful in 42 patients (82.35%): SUI was remained cured in 28 patients (54.90%) and improved in 14 patients (27.45%) while recurred incontinence was observed in 9 patients (17.65%). According to the telephone interviews, 26 patients (50.98%) were very satisfied and 16 patients (31.37%) were satisfied with the TVT procedure. However, 6 (11.76%) and 3 (5.88%) patients answered 'tolerable' and 'dissatisfied', respectively, and all of these patients had recurred SUI. Among the investigated patients, no serious or long-term complications related to the procedure were observed.
They concluded that the TVT surgery is an effective treatment for stress urinary incontinence, with the long-term durability of continence and minimal complications related to the surgery.
Presented by: Hyeon Woo Kim, PhD, Department of Environmental Engineering, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, South Korea
Co-authors: Dong Gil Shin, Chul Soo Yoon, Seong Choi, Won Yeol Cho, Kweon Sik Min, Busan, Korea, Republic of, Tae Hee Oh, Changwon, Korea, Republic of, Wan Lee, Ulsan, Korea, Republic of, Jeong Zoo Lee, Busan, Korea, Republic of
Written by: Bilal Farhan, MD, Clinical Instructor, Female Urology and Voiding Dysfunction, Department of Urology, University of California, Irvine @BilalfarhanMD