Objective: To compare efficacy and long-term morbidity of the TVT between patients younger than 70 years and patients older than 70 years.
Method: Retrospective monocentric study from January 2000 to May 2001. A postal questionnaire was sent to patients to evaluate their satisfaction and their functional status after surgery.
Results: The study included 154 patients, and 137 (89%) answered the questionnaire. Seventy-two were less than 70 years old (52.5%) and 65 were more than 70 years old (47.5%). The satisfaction rate in the total population was 88.3%. Amongst the patients younger than 70 years, 97.5% were cured or improved, versus 78.5% of the oldest patients (p=0.001). The study within age groups showed that the satisfaction rate between 70-74 years was higher (92.6%) than in the total population and lower after 75 years (66.7%). This difference is linked to the rates of de novo and persistent urge incontinence, which increase after 75 years.
Conclusion: The TVT seems to be a good treatment for urinary incontinence in women younger than 75 years. Patients should be warned that preoperative urge incontinence may persist after surgery.