Health Library

Urethral Suspension—Tension-Free Vaginal Tape Procedure

Definition | Reasons for Procedure | Possible Complications | What to Expect | Call Your Doctor

Definition

Stress incontinence is one of the many causes of uncontrolled leaking of urine. Urethral suspension is a surgery to correct incontinence in women.

The incontinence is most often caused by weakening of the pelvic muscles that normally keep the bladder in position. The muscles may be weakened by:

Pregnancy
Childbirth
Menopause
Previous pelvic surgery
Lack of physical activity

Female Bladder and Urethra

Reasons for Procedure

The goal of this surgery is to provide extra support to the urethra and give more resistance against leakage. This will stop the uncontrolled leaking of urine.

Possible Complications

Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have a urethral suspension, your doctor will review a list of possible complications which may include:

Bleeding
Infection
Reactions to anesthesia
Inability to urinate
Continued incontinence or recurrence of the problem
Damage to other nearby organs or blood vessels
Erosion of the mesh material used during the procedure
Pain (such as, during sexual intercourse)

Factors that may increase the risk of complications include:

Smoking
Your overall health

Talk to your doctor about any factors that may increase your risk.

What to Expect

Your doctor will try to find out why you are leaking urine through some or all of the following:

Medical history—information about medicines, illnesses, number of pregnancies, and previous surgeries; pattern of leaking and how it is affecting your life

Urine sample—to look for the presence of infection or other problems

Physical exam—includes a rectal and vaginal exam

Additional testing may be ordered to evaluate bladder function and urine flow, such as:
- Cystoscopy—a procedure done to view the inside of the bladder

Leading up to surgery:

Talk to your doctor about your medicines. You may be asked to stop taking some medicines up to one week before the procedure, like:
- Aspirin or other anti-inflammatory drugs
- Blood thinners, such as warfarin (Coumadin)
- Clopidogrel (Plavix)
Arrange for a ride home from the hospital.
Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before.

You may receive a spinal anesthetic to numb your lower body. General anesthesia may also be used, in which case you will be asleep.

Two incisions will be made in the vagina. A nylon mesh-like tape will be inserted in these incisions to form a hammock. This will give support to the urethra, closing the urethra during a cough or sneeze. No sutures will be needed to hold the tape in place. The mesh will hold onto the surrounding tissue until scar tissue grows into it.

After surgery, you will be monitored in a recovery room. You will most likely have a catheter in place to drain your urine.

1-1.5 hours

Anesthesia will block pain during the surgery. After surgery, you may experience some pain or soreness. You will be given pain medicine to relieve discomfort.

You may be able to go home the same day.

At first, your urine may look bloody. This will resolve over time. When you are able to empty your bladder completely, the catheter will be removed. You may be up and walking the same day as the surgery.

Avoid lifting and strenuous exercise for six weeks after surgery. This will allow healing to take place. Ask your doctor about when it is safe to shower, bathe, or soak in water.

To help ensure a smooth recovery, follow your doctor's instructions.

Call Your Doctor

After you leave the hospital, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:

Signs of infection, including fever and chills
Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or any discharge from the incision sites
Pain that you cannot control with the medicines you have been given
Cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain
Severe nausea or vomiting
Trouble urinating
Pain, burning, urgency, or frequency while urinating

In case of an emergency, call for medical help right away.

National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse

http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov

Urology Care Foundation

http://www.urologyhealth.org

Canadian Continence Foundation

http://www.canadiancontinence.ca

Canadian Urological Association

http://www.cua.org

The surgical management of female stress urinary incontinence. The American Urological Association website. Available at: http://www.auanet.org/content/media/stress2009-chapter1.pdf. Published 1997. Accessed October 20, 2009.

Surgical management of urinary incontinence. American Urological Association website. Available at: http://www.urologyhealth.org/urology/index.cfm?article=33. Updated 2003. Accessed October 20, 2009.

Surgical mesh. US Food and Drug Administration website. Available at: http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Safety/AlertsandNotices/ucm142636.htm. Updated October 8, 2009. Accessed October 20, 2009.

Surgical treatment for female stress urinary incontinence. National Association for Continence website. Available at: http://www.nafc.org/bladder-bowel-health/types-of-incontinence/stress-incontinence/surgical-treatment-for-female-stress-urinary-incontinence/. Updated July 2009. Accessed October 20, 2009.

Treatment and prevention. The American Urogynecologic Society website. Available at: http://www.mypelvichealth.org/TreatmentPrevention/BladderControlProblems/TreatmentOptions/Surgery/tabid/120/Default.aspx. Accessed October 20, 2009.

Townsend MK, Danforth KN, et al. Physical activity and incident urinary incontinence in middle-aged women. J Urol. 2008;179:1012-1016; discussion 1016-1017.

Urinary incontinence. American Academy of Family Physicians. Family Doctor.org website. Available at: http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/women/gen-health/189.html. Updated July 2010. Accessed November 19, 2010.

Wein AJ. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2007.

6/3/2011 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance https://dynamed.ebscohost.com/about/about-us: Mills E, Eyawo O, Lockhart I, Kelly S, Wu P, Ebbert JO. Smoking cessation reduces postoperative complications: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Med. 2011;124(2):144-154.e8.

Last reviewed September 2012 by Adrienne Carmack, MD

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.