Factors that influence voiding function after the tension-free vaginal tape procedure for stress urinary incontinence

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the time to the resumption of voiding after the tension-free vaginal tape procedure and to identify factors that are associated with postoperative voiding dysfunction. STUDY DESIGN: The records of 153 patients who underwent the tension-free vaginal tape procedure were reviewed. Time to normal voiding was recorded as (1) before hospital discharge, (2) after hospital discharge but during the first 2 postoperative weeks, or (3) after the first 2 postoperative weeks. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used for continuous factors, and the Pearson chi(2) test was used for for categoric factors. The significance level was alpha = .2. RESULTS: Eighty-four patients (55%) voided normally before hospital dismissal: 38 patients (25%) during the first 2 weeks and 31 patients (20%) after 2 weeks. Factors that show a trend of association with delayed voiding were previous incontinence surgery (P = .08), previous prolapse surgery (P = .06), and age (P = .17). CONCLUSION: Most patients who underwent the tension-free vaginal tape procedure voided normally by 2 weeks after the procedure. Return to normal voiding took longer in older patients and those patients with a history of incontinence or prolapse operations.