Long-term effects of TVT-O for stress incontinence

This study examined the long-term outcomes of women who underwent tension-free vaginal tape-obturator (TVT-O) for stress incontinence. The authors determined that TVT-O was very effective in the long-term and was a safe option for the treatment of stress incontinence.

Vaginal sling procedures are the most common type of surgery used to help control stress urinary incontinence. The transobturator tape (TOT; also sometimes known as TVT-O) approach is a minimally invasive vaginal sling procedure. It is a widely adopted approach that involves the placement of a narrow mesh tape underneath the urethra (urine tract). This helps lift the urethra to its normal position and close more tightly. 

Five-year outcomes after TVT-O have shown it to be safe and effective. One study noted cure rates of 81.5% to 83.5% after 7 years. The long-term outcomes of TVT-O are still under investigation.

This study examined 10-year outcomes of women who underwent a TVT-O. 160 women were assessed at 5 and 10 years. At follow-up, patients underwent a stress test to measure urine leakage. They also completed questionnaires on how they viewed their outcomes following TVT-O.

There were no significant changes in outcome over the follow-up period. 97% of patients reported themselves cured at 10 years. 92% of patients were considered cure based on urine leakage during a stress test. Patients who had failed at previous treatments for stress incontinence were 5.34 times more at risk of TVT-O failure.

14% of patients reported overactive bladder symptoms at 10 years. No other new complications were reported.

This trial concluded that TVT-O was a safe and effective treatment in the long-term for stress incontinence.