Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of tension-free vaginal tapes (TVT) compared with Burch colposuspension for female stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Methods We searched MEDLINE (1966 to October 2007), EMBASE (1988 to October 2007), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (1993 to October 2007), CMCC (1979 to October 2007) and CNKI (January 1979 to October 2007). We collected randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing TVT with Burch colposuspension in the treatment of SUI. Data were extracted and evaluated by two reviewers independently. The Cochrane Collaboration’s RevMan 4.2 was used for data analyses. Results Ten RCTs reporting data on effectiveness and safety of TVE versus Burch colposuspension were included. Meta-analyses showed that TVT was superior to Burch colposuspension as measured by the overall cure rate (OR 1.73; 95%CI 1.26 to 2.38; P=0.0007), negative stress test (OR 2.54; 95%CI 1.71 to 3.78; Plt;0.00001) and negative pad test (OR 1.67; 95%CI 1.16 to 2.41; P=0.006). The total complication rate was higher after TVT (OR 1.39; 95% CI 1.08 to 1.80; P=0.01), while the re-operation rate was significantly higher after Burch colposuspension (OR 0.29; 95%CI 0.10 to 0.80; P=0.02). The incidences of haematoma (OR 1.06; 95% CI 0.39 to 2.84; P=0.91), urinary tract infection (OR 1.27; 95% CI 0.64 to 2.52; P=0.50) and lower urinary tract symptoms (OR 1.20; 95% CI 0.89 to 1.62; P=0.23) were similar after TVT and Burch colposuspension. Conclusion The evidence for short-term superiority of TVT is currently limited. Although the re-operation rate is lower, the risk of bladder or vaginal injury is higher with TVT. Methodologically sound and adequately powered RCTs with long-term follow-up are needed.
ObjectiveTo compare the clinical outcome of tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) and TVT-obturator (TVT-O) for female stress urinary incontinence (SUI). MethodsSixty-one female SUI patients were included in our study, in which 33 received TVT procedure and 28 received TVT-O procedure. The patients were followed up for 1 to 62 months post-operatively, averaging at 22 months. Cure was defined as no leakage during the stress test and no residual urine showed by B ultrasound, improvement as less leakage during the stress test after operation, and inefficacy as leakage during the stress test and no difference was detected after operation. ResultsAge and disease course were not significantly different between the two groups (P>0.05). All patients underwent TVT or TVT-O procedure successfully. Time of TVT ranged from 26 to 45 min averaging at (35.5±4.3) minutes, and it was significantly different from the time of TVT-O which ranged from 15 to 20 min averaging at (7.2±3.1) minutes (P<0.05). Bleeding during the surgery was not significantly different between the two groups (P>0.05). The rate of complications occurring during TVT-O procedure was significantly less and milder than that during the TVT procedure (P<0.05). The cure rate and improvement rate indicated no significant differences between the two groups (P>0.05). ConclusionThe evidence available indicates that TVT and TVT-O procedure are both effective and safe for female SUI. Compared with TVT, TVT-O procedure has the advantages of being more convenient, shorter operation time, being less invasive, and fewer complications, and it may be more suitable for female SUI.