Long-term Results of Tension-free Vaginal Tape Insertion for Urodynamic Stress Incontinence in Chinese Women at Eight-year Follow-up: a Prospective Study

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the long-term effectiveness and patient satisfaction at 8-year follow-up after tension-free vaginal tape insertion for urodynamic stress incontinence in Chinese women.
Methods: A prospective study was conducted from January 1999 to July 2004 at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong, among consecutive patients with urodynamic stress incontinence who underwent tension-free vaginal tape insertion. All patients were assessed at years 1, 3, and 8 according to the designated protocol.
Results: A total of 73 patients were enrolled and 30 (41.1%) patients underwent concomitant vaginal procedures. At the 3-year follow-up, the objective cure rate was 85% and the subjective cure rate was 96%. At the 8-year followup, the objective cure rate was 90% and the subjective cure rate was 99%. De-novo detrusor overactivity was seen in 32% and 47% of patients at 3- and 8-year follow-up, respectively. Similar objective and subjective cure rates were seen in the tension-free vaginal tape insertion–only group and the tension-free vaginal tape with concomitant surgery group.
Conclusion: Tension-free vaginal tape insertion is an effective and safe operation for management of urodynamic stress incontinence in a Chinese population. The procedure maintains long-term efficacy, up to 8 years, with good patient satisfaction and objective cure rate. Concomitant vaginal surgery at the time of tension-free vaginal tape insertion does not affect the success rate.