Part of the TeachMe Series

Tension-Free Vaginal Tape

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Original Author(s): Oliver Jones
Last updated: 19th December 2016
Revisions: 14

Original Author(s): Oliver Jones
Last updated: 19th December 2016
Revisions: 14

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A tension-free vaginal tape is an operation used in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence. In this procedure, a synthetic tape is placed around the urethra to form a sling – this supports the urethra to prevent leakage.

Short term cure rate (up to one year) has been reported to be 71-97% and long term cure rate (up to 5 years) is 51-88% in the Cochrane systematic review on mid-urethral slings [Ford AA, 2015].

In this article, we shall look at the procedure, indications and complications of a tension-free vaginal tape.

Procedure

A tension-free vaginal tape operation is performed under general anaesthesia, and is usually a day case or overnight stay:

  • The bladder is catheterised.
  • Local anaesthetic is inserted into the anterior vaginal wall over the area of the mid-urethra.
  • A small incision is made in the anterior vaginal wall, and tissue is dissected on either side of the urethra.
  • A mounted catheter is inserted into the bladder to manipulate the bladder during tape insertion.
  • A rigid metal catheter guide is placed into the area where the tissue was dissected (either right or left side first)
  • The needle with the tape attached to it is inserted into the dissected tissue along the metal catheter guide and is inserted through the retropubic space along the back of the pubic symphysis (Fig 1a).
  • The needle will emerge suprapubically onto the abdomen (Fig 1b).
  • The same is repeated on the other side
  • The mounted catheter is then removed. Cystoscopy is performed to check there is no bladder perforation.
  • The tape is then adjusted bilaterally, ensuring that it is not too tight over the mid-urethra (Fig 1c).
  • The incision on the anterior vaginal wall is closed up with dissolvable sutures.
Fig 1 - Stages of a tension-free vaginal tape. (a) TVT needle insertion on left side, with catheter and metal guide on same side, (b) Schematic insertion of TVT tape, (c) Adjusting tension free TVT, (d) Mechanism of action of mid-urethral application TVT.

Fig 1 – Stages of a tension-free vaginal tape. (a) TVT needle insertion on left side, with catheter and metal guide on same side, (b) Schematic insertion of TVT tape, (c) Adjusting tension free TVT, (d) Mechanism of action of mid-urethral application TVT.

Indications

A tension-free vaginal tape is used to treat stress urinary incontinence. This typically presents with involuntary leakage of urine on exertion or when sneezing or coughing.

The management options are dependent on the patient’s choice, lifestyle and suitability for an operation. Conservative options such as lifestyle modifications and physiotherapy are typically offered prior to medication or surgery.

In the UK, surgical management should be considered if there is demonstrable urinary stress incontinence or urodynamic stress incontinence. Urodynamics testing and MDT discussion is recommended for patients with previous surgery, failed treatments, mixed symptoms and/or high risk for surgery.

Complications

The main complications of a tension-free vaginal tape are:

  • Bladder perforation (4.5%). 3
  • Damage to pelvic blood vessels or viscera.
  • 4% of women can have voiding difficulties and urinary retention after the procedure. However, this is not usually a long-term complication. 1
  • 3-15% of women can have urgency and frequency symptoms. 1
  • Groin pain (1.3%) and suprapubic pain (2.9%)- short duration. 3
  • Vaginal tape erosions.

The long term effectiveness of synthetic slings and material used is not yet clear and patients need to be informed of this prior to surgery. 1,2

Alternatives

Alternative surgical treatments for stress incontinence can be offered based on the patient’s individual circumstances and are as follows:

  • Mid urethral tape: trans-obturator tape (TOT)
  • Open colposuspension
  • Autologous rectus fascial sling
  • Anterior vaginal repair
  • Injection of bulking agents into the bladder neck
  • Creation of artificial sphincters around the bladder neck1, 2

References

  1. Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Surgery for stress incontinence: information for you. London: RCOG; 2015
  2. National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE), 2014. Urinary Incontinence in women: management. London: NICE.
  3. Ford A et al, 2015. Mid-urethral sling operations for women. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.