Zdravniški Vestnik (Dec 2003)
SUBJECTIVE CURE RATES AFTER TVT PROCEDURE FOR TREATMENT OF FEMALE URINARY INCONTINENCE – A QUESTIONNAIRE BASED STUDY
Abstract
Background. The aim of this study was to assess the subjective cure rate after the tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure in patients with stress (SUI) and mixed (MUI) urinary incontinence.Methods. This is a questionnaire based study done in 43 patients with SUI and 52 patients with MUI. In the assessement of the subjective cure rate the visual analogue scale and the symptom assessment index (SAI) were used. Data were analyzed using nonparametric statistics.Results. The subjective cure rate assessed 19.6 months after TVT amounted to 89.3%. Urinary incontinence after TVT procedure was noted in 26 patients (27.4%) and the majority of these women (73.1%) were diagnosed with MUI. In patients with SUI and postoperative stable bladder a higher success rate was observed (96.7%). In 18.6% patients with SUI, de novo overactive bladder symptoms occurred. These patients estimated a significantly (p = 0.027) lower cure rate (81.9%) after TVT procedure. In patients with MUI, the cure rate after TVT amounted to 85.6%. The subjective cure rate was lower (79.4%) in case of persistent overactive bladder symptoms. However, it was significantly higher (97.5%) in case of a postoperatively stable bladder (p = 0.016). In the group of MUI patients, the symptoms of overactive bladder disease resolved spontaneously in 17 patients (32.7%) postoperatively. The patients were satisfied with TVT and 92.6% would recommend this procedure to others.Conclusions. The TVT procedure is a very effective method of treatment for stress as well as mixed urinary incontinence. The success rate of the procedure is high, however, it is influenced by bladder activity.
