Tension-free vaginal tape versus tension-free vaginal tape obturator (inside-outside) in the surgical treatment of female stress urinary incontinence

Rosita Aniulienė

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaunas University of Medicine, Lithuania

Key words: tension-free vaginal tape, tension-free vaginal tape obturator from inside to outside; stress incontinence; female urinary incontinence; surgical treatment of female urinary incontinence.

Summary. The objective of this study was to compare TVT (tension-free vaginal tape) and TVT-O (tension-free vaginal tape obturator from inside to outside) procedures for the female surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence: results, complications, and effectiveness after 1 year.

Material and methods. A prospective randomized study was carried out. The patients were followed up for 12 months. A total of 114 patients were operated on using TVT procedure and 150 patients – TVT-O procedure. There was no significant difference in age, body mass index, parity, menopausal status, and prolapse (no patients had cystocele greater than stage II) comparing both groups.

Results. The mean time in surgery was significantly shorter in the TVT-O group (19±5.6 min) as compared with the TVT group (27±7.1 min). No differences in the effectiveness of both procedures were found: TVT – 94.6% and TVT-O – 94.6% after one year, respectively. Hospital stay was significantly shorter in the TVT-O group (1.5±0.5 days) than in the TVT group (4.0±1.6 days). Significantly fewer complications were observed in the TVT-O group.

Conclusion. TVT and TVT-O operations are equally effective for the surgical treatment of female stress urinary incontinence. TVT-O group had shorter time in surgery and showed a lower rate of complications.

Correspondence to R. Aniulienė, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaunas University of Medicine, Eivenių 2, 50009 Kaunas, Lithuania. E-mail: rositaan@hotmail.com

Received 12 December 2008, accepted 4 August 2009