Voiding patterns and urodynamics after a tension-free vaginal tape procedure.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate changes in urodynamic parameters, therapeutic success, and complication rates after a tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure in women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). METHODS: Sixty-three women who underwent a TVT procedure for SUI, between June 1999 and December 2001 at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, Ontario, were prospectively followed. Pre- and postoperative clinical data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney, chi-square, paired t-test, and Wilcoxon signed ranks tests. RESULTS: The range of follow-up was 6 weeks to 3 years. Short-term voiding dysfunction occurred in 49% of the women but was completely resolved in all women by the 12-week follow-up. For the 45 women who completed their follow-up at 6 months or 1 year after TVT, the success rate was 85%. Provocative urodynamics at 1-year follow-up compared to preoperative data showed a decrease in maximum flow rate (P < 0.001), and increase in post-void residual urine volume (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: TVT is associated with a good short-term success rate at 6 months and 1 year. A low long-term complication rate and morbidity may be expected, but significant temporary voiding dysfunction, higher than previously reported, was observed.