Tension-free vaginal tape and associated procedures: a case control study

OBJECTIVES: We compare objective and subjective cure rates after tension-free vaginal tape procedures performed alone or in conjunction with vaginal procedures. METHODS: One hundred eighty-six women underwent a tension-free vaginal tape procedure for stress or mixed urinary incontinence. One hundred women treated with tension-free vaginal tape alone (group 1) were compared with 40 women treated with tension-free vaginal tape and concomitant vaginal hysterectomy (group 2), and 46 patients treated with tension-free vaginal tape and pelvic floor reconstruction (group 3). Patient outcomes, surgical difficulties and complications are reported. Postoperative voiding diaries, standing stress-test results, and patient satisfaction were compared. RESULTS: There were no significant differences among the three groups in terms of age, menopausal status, BMI, previous incontinence surgery, or the type and degree of incontinence. Parity was significantly higher in the group treated with tension-free vaginal tape and pelvic floor reconstruction ( p=0.04 ). The overall perioperative complication rate was 15.6%. Women treated with tension-free vaginal tape and hysterectomy (group 2), and those treated with tension-free vaginal tape and pelvic floor reconstruction (group 3) had a significantly higher incidence of bladder injury (17.9% and 13%, respectively, versus 5% in group 1; p=0.05 ). Estimated blood loss and the frequencies of postoperative urgency and voiding disorders did differ significantly between women treated with tension-free vaginal tape alone and those who underwent associated procedures. The mean follow-up time was 24.5+/-2.6 months. No difference in the objective cure rate was found between the tension-free vaginal tape group and the other two groups (93% versus 97.5% and 91.1%; p=0.3 ). No difference in the subjective cure rate was found between the tension-free vaginal tape group and the groups undergoing associated procedures (72% versus 72.5% and 68.8%; p=0.4). CONCLUSION: Pelvic floor defects, benign uterine disorders and stress urinary incontinence can be safely treated with tension-free vaginal tape and vaginal procedures during the same surgical procedure.