The Long-Term Outcomes of the Tension-free Vaginal Tape Procedure for Treatment of Female Stress Urinary Incontinence: Data from Minimum 13 Years of Follow-Up.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the long-term outcomes from the tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure, we investigated the data from a minimum 13-year follow-up and predictive risk factors affecting efficacy for treatment of female stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

METHODS: A total of 206 (mean age, 59.2 ± 8.8 years) women who underwent the TVT procedure for SUI were selected and followed up for at least 13 years (mean, 162.4 months; range, 156-174) after TVT procedure. We analyzed the long-term results and the predictive parameters for success rates and patients' satisfaction.

RESULTS: At 13 years after surgery, the overall cure rate was 82.5%, with a satisfaction rate of 67.5%. Univariable analysis demonstrated an association of symptom grade of SUI with cure rates, while the presence of frequency, urgency, and urge incontinence showed an association with patients' satisfaction. However, in multivariable logistic regression model, none of those variables were identified as an independent risk factor related to the cure and satisfaction rate. Twenty one patients (10.2%) had postoperative complications at 1-year follow-up after surgery. However, at 13 years follow-up after surgery, only three patients (1.5%) had postoperative complications, including mesh exposure in one patient and de novo urgency in two patients.

CONCLUSION: Our long-term data, which illustrate the absence of long-term adverse events secondary to TVT procedure and the high success rate both in subjective and objective goals regardless of any independent predictive factors, suggest the TVT procedure as a recommendable method for the management of female SUI.