ABSTRACT
Urinary stress incontinence (USI) is a common functional disorder occurring in women. The rationale of the surgical treatment of USI has totally changed, because the techniques using urethral suspension were responsible for acute urinary retention and chronic voiding troubles. New techniques to support the urethra and the anterior vaginal wall have been developed. In 2001, the transobturator surgical approach was introduced for the placement of suburethral tapes, with the aim of sparing the retropubic space. Tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) was introduced in 1995 as a minimally invasive technique for surgical correction of female urinary stress incontinence, under local anesthesia and on ambulatory basis. The TVT is a relatively safe and effective, minimally invasive surgical technique for the treatment of female urinary stress incontinence. It is associated with a short learning curve. Clinical studies have demonstrated the TVT cure rates to be comparable to more invasive procedures, such as open and laparoscopic Burch colposuspension.
