Transperineal ultrasound to assess the effect of tension‐free vaginal tape position on flow rates

Abstract

To determine whether the position of the tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) has an effect on postoperative flow rates and voiding function in women successfully cured of urodynamic stress incontinence. Postoperatively 72 women who had undergone TVT surgery had a transperineal ultrasound examination to assess the position of the TVT on the urethra. The tape was categorized as proximal, mid or distal urethral. The effect on voiding was assessed using the maximum flow rate (MFR) centiles corrected for voided volume and detrusor pressure at maximum flow. Forty-six women had distal tapes and 26 mid-urethral tapes. A tape lying on the mid urethra was associated with a fall in MFR centile (P = 0.04) while a tape lying on the distal urethra did not cause a fall in the MFR centile (P = 0.52). There was no significant change in the detrusor pressure at maximum flow between mid and distally placed tapes. Distally placed tapes cause less alteration in flow rates than do mid-urethrally placed tapes. This may be beneficial in certain patient groups.