Quality of life assessments in women operated on by tension-free vaginal tape (TVT).

The aim of the study was to evaluate quality of life (QOL) prospectively in women who undergo tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) operation for stress urinary incontinence. Sixty-six women who completed QOL questionnaires and a 2-year follow-up examination were included. Improvement of health-related QOL was assessed by the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-7 (IIQ-7), the Urogenital Distress Inventory-6 (UDI-6), and two questions regarding patient satisfaction and de novo urge incontinence. Prior to surgery, patients complained most of stress symptoms followed by physical activities and emotional health. Postoperatively IIQ-7 and UDI-6 as a whole and all seven domains improved significantly (p<0.001). Scores of IIQ-7, UDI-6, and seven domains did not differ between the adult and the elderly groups. Of the patients 88% were much satisfied or satisfied with surgical outcomes. Incidence of de novo urge incontinence was 12%. It is concluded that the TVT procedure significantly improved health-related quality of life.