The TVT-obturator surgical procedure for the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence: a clinical update

Six years ago, the inside–out transobturator tape TVT-O procedure was developed for the surgical treatment of female stress urinary incontinence (SUI) with the aim of minimizing the risk of urethra and bladder injuries and ensuring minimal tissue dissection. Initial feasibility and efficacy studies suggested that the TVT-O procedure is associated with high SUI cure rates and low morbidity at short term. A recent analysis of medium-term results indicated that the TVT-O procedure is efficient, with maintenance, after a 3-year minimum follow-up, of cure rates comparing favorably with those reported for TVT. No late complications were observed. As of July 2008, more than 35 clinical papers, including ten randomized trials and two national registries, have been published on the outcome of the TVT-O surgery. Results from these studies have confirmed that the TVT-O procedure is safe and as efficient as the TVT procedure, at least in the short/medium term.