Does the tension-free vaginal tape procedure (TVT) affect the voiding function over time? Pressure-flow studies 1 year and 3(1/2) years after TVT.

Aim: The aim was to evaluate the voiding function over time after the TVT procedure for stress incontinence.

Materials And Methods: Thirty-eight women with urodynamic stress urinary incontinence were included in the study. For voiding function assessment the patients were asked if voiding had changed postoperatively, and objectively uroflowmetry, residual urine measurement and pressure-flow were performed preoperatively, 1 year and 3(1/2) years postoperatively.

Results: At 1/3(1/2) years follow-up 87%/69% were subjectively cured and 13%/26% improved, respectively. The objective cure rate was 89%/74%. Subjectively 77%/63% of the patients felt an altered voiding function towards more difficult voiding one and 3(1/2) years after surgery, respectively. Objectively all the uroflowmetry variables deteriorated and residual urine volume increased over time although the changes were not statistically significant between the 1 and 3(1/2) years follow-up. Pressure-flow variables were essentially unchanged.

Conclusion: The changes in voiding function after a TVT do not reverse over time. This may imply a potential risk of development of clinically important impaired emptying function.