Tension-free vaginal tape: 162 cases in a district general hospital.

From March 1999 to July 2002 a prospective study was carried out of 162 consecutive cases of urodynamically confirmed stress and mixed incontinence who underwent the tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure. Patients were followed up at 6 weeks and 6 months and with a quality of life questionnaire at 1 year. The intraoperative complication rate was 7.6% and the postoperative complication rate was 18.8%. The subjective cure rate for patients suffering from urodynamic stress incontinence was 85%, with a further 11% experiencing significant improvement in their symptoms. The subjective cure rate for patients with mixed incontinence was 88%, with a further 9% experiencing significant improvement. The TVT procedure appears to be safe and effective for both stress and mixed incontinence for up to three years in a district general hospital. Complications in the short term are uncommon and can be managed easily.