Long-term results of tension-free vaginal tape and pubovaginal sling in the treatment of stress urinaryincontinence in female patients

Abstract

To report the long-term outcome of tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) and pubovaginal sling (PVS) in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in female patients. The long-term objective and subjective results of female patients who were previously randomized in a single blind study to two arms, TVT or PVS, between 2000 and 2004, were evaluated. The patients were asked if they were satisfied with the results of the procedure and if they would recommend it to a friend or relative. The assessment included a physical examination and cough-induced stress test. Satisfaction levels were assessed by Likert-type scale. Cure was described as absence of urine leakage in any circumstances, while improvement was characterized as subjective improvement of SUI without complete resolution. One hundred women with SUI underwent surgery at the present medical center between 2000 and 2004. A total of 52 patients were followed clinically for objective and subjective assessment. Seventeen were interviewed only by telephone. The objective cure rate was 81.5% and 84%, where as subjective cure rate was 70.3% and 71.9%, for TVT versus PVS, respectively (p > 0.05). After an average follow-up of 10.5 years, there was no difference in clinical outcome, satisfaction scores, and postoperative complications between the two groups. Both TVT and PVS are safe and effective treatments for SUI in fe- male patients, with acceptable success rate in long term follow-up.