Performance of the tension free vaginal tape procedure when combined with sacrospinous fixation for apical prolapse

Summary

Reports of the tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure performed in combination with reconstructive vaginal surgery have been published, but none of these has looked specifically at the sub-group of TVT in combination with sacrospinous colpopexy. This report describes a series of 15 cases where TVT was performed in combination with sacrospinous colpopexy. There were no major complications. Five patients (33.3%) had postoperative urine retention for more than 1 week. Mild incontinence was reported in five cases at 12 months. We conclude that the results of TVT in treating stress incontinence when combined with sacrospinous colpopexy are comparable with TVT alone. Patients should be warned of a higher rate of short-term urinary retention of up to 6 months, while the long-term urinary retention rate is comparable with the TVT procedure alone.