The tension-free vaginal tape operation for the treatment of stress incontinence

The tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) operation and similar procedures are the newest development in the surgical treatment of female stress incontinence. In contrast to the Burch colposuspension and abdominovaginal sling procedures, the operation aims at supporting the midurethra and not the bladder neck. The only ongoing prospective randomized trial comparing TVT with the Burch colposuspension, conducted by the UK and Ireland TVT Trial Group, shows comparable 2-year results. The TVT operation is a technically simple procedure with a low rate intraoperative and postoperative complications. This and the good cure rates may make this procedure and similar methods the standard operation for the treatment of primary and recurrent stress incontinence.