Three Years Experience with Tension-Free Vaginal Tape
Drs. Brett J. Vassallo, Steven Kleeman, Jeffrey Segal
Seton Center
Cincinnati, Ohio

Objective: To describe our initial experience and complication rate with the Tension-free Vaginal Tape (TVT) to treat genuine stress urinary incontinence (GSUI).
Materials and Methods: A retrospective chart review was carried out of all patients who underwent the TVT procedure at our primary institution between January, 1998 and January, 2001.  Pre-operative history, physical, urodynamic and quality of life data were reviewed.  Overall cure and complication rates were calculated.
Results: 280 subjects have undergone the TVT procedure.  At the time of the writing of this abstract, follow-up data is available on 162 subjects.  The overall subjective cure rate was 87%.  There were 4 hematomas (1.4%), 14 bladder perforations (5%), 2 erosions (0.7%), and 3 patients who developed significant voiding dysfunction requiring revision of the TVT (1.1%).
Conclusions: The TVT procedure is an effective means to treat GSUI.  It can be utilized in various clinical settings with a low incidence of complications.
Key Words: Tension-free Vaginal Tape, TVT, stress urinary incontinence, surgery for urinary incontinence