3-Year follow-up of tension-free vaginal tape—ABBREVO procedure for the treatment of pure urodynamic stress urinary incontinence: efficacy and adverse effects

Introduction and hypothesis The tension-free vaginal tape ABBREVO (TVT-A) is a new surgical procedure for the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence (SUI). However, data reporting medium- and long-term outcomes are lacking. The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy and safety of TVT-A in patients with at least a 3-year follow-up. Methods All consecutive women who complained of pure SUI symptoms with urodynamically proven SUI undergoing a TVT-A procedure were prospectively enrolled. Data regarding subjective outcomes (International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form, Patient Global Impression of Improvement and patient satisfaction scores), objective cure (stress test) rates and adverse events were collected during follow-up. Univariate analysis was performed to investigate outcomes. Results A total of 41 women underwent TVT-A implantation. At 3-year follow-up, 40 women (97.5%) were available for the evaluation. We did not find any significant change in surgical outcomes during this time. At 3 years after surgery, 36 of 40 (90%) patients were subjectively cured ( p for trend 0.18) and 37 out of 40 (92.5%) patients were objectively cured ( p for trend 0.22). The univariate analysis did not find any risk factor statistically associated with the recurrence of SUI. A significant trend of de novo overactive bladder (OAB) occurrence was registered at the 3-year follow-up ( p for trend = 0.03). No serious late complications or groin-thigh pain were reported. Conclusions TVT-A implantation is a highly effective option for the treatment of women with pure SUI.