Patient‐reported outcomes and urinary continence five years after the tension‐free vaginal tape operation

Aims To evaluate patient‐reported outcomes and continence rates 5 years after the tension‐free vaginal tape (TVT) operation and to compare these with subjective and objective cure rates. Methods A total of 101 patients underwent clinical and urodynamic assessment and completed the Incontinence Outcome Questionnaire (IOQ) 5 years after the retropubic TVT operation. The IOQ results were compared with the subjective and objective cure rates. Results At 5 years 85% of patients had a negative clinical stress test. Based on clinical stress test, stable cystometry to ≥300 ml and residual volume ≤100 ml, the physician assessment of cure was 80%. Patient‐reported outcome showed improvement in incontinence symptoms in 86% of patients. Eighty‐three percent of patients were satisfied with the results and 92% would recommend the operation to others. The results of the IOQ correlated more with patient‐reported than with physician‐assessed cure rates. Conclusion Patient report high rates of satisfaction 5 years after the TVT operation. Neurourol. Urodynam. Neurourol. Urodynam. 30: 1512–1517, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.