Patient-reported outcomes and urinary continence five years after the tension-free vaginal tape operation.

Aims: To evaluate patient-reported outcomes and continence rates 5 years after the tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) operation and to compare these with subjective and objective cure rates.

Methods: A total of 101 patients underwent clinical and urodynamic assessment and completed the Incontinence Outcome Questionnaire (IOQ) 5 years after the retropubic TVT operation. The IOQ results were compared with the subjective and objective cure rates.

Results: At 5 years 85% of patients had a negative clinical stress test. Based on clinical stress test, stable cystometry to ≥300  ml and residual volume ≤100  ml, the physician assessment of cure was 80%. Patient-reported outcome showed improvement in incontinence symptoms in 86% of patients. Eighty-three percent of patients were satisfied with the results and 92% would recommend the operation to others. The results of the IOQ correlated more with patient-reported than with physician-assessed cure rates.

Conclusion: Patient report high rates of satisfaction 5 years after the TVT operation.