Vaginal Symptoms and Sexual Function After Tension-free Vaginal Tape-obturator Placement: Minimum 12-Month Follow-up

ObjectiveTo examine the effect of the tension-free vaginal tape-obturator (TVT-O) on sexual function and vaginal symptoms. The effect of anti-incontinence surgery on vaginal symptoms and sexual function is controversial; these assessments are increasingly important given the Food and Drug Administration warning regarding the use of transvaginal surgical mesh.Materials and MethodsA retrospective review of 42 patients undergoing TVT-O with a minimum 1-year follow-up data was performed. The outcomes were assessed at baseline and 1 year postoperatively using validated questionnaires, including the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Vaginal Symptoms, a validated measure assessing the impact of vaginal symptoms and sexual matters on quality of life and treatment outcomes. The International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire, Short Form were used to assess the incontinence and quality of life outcomes, respectively.ResultsStatistically significant improvements were seen in the vaginal symptoms (from 9.7 to 6.0, P = .01), sexual matters (from 16.7 to 6.9, P = .01), and quality of life (from 3.0 to 1.1, P = .001) domains on the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Vaginal Symptoms from the baseline to 1-year assessment. Of 20 sexually active patients at baseline, 18 reported continued sexual activity postoperatively, with 2 patients reporting an absence of sexual activity because of other factors. Six patients who were not sexually active at baseline because of vaginal symptoms had resumed sexual activity at 1 year. Statistically significant improvement in vaginal soreness and a trend toward improvement in the abdominal pain domain score were seen.ConclusionTVT-O sling placement was associated with symptom stability or improvement in validated measures of sexual function and vaginal symptoms. These data do not support the concerns regarding worsening sexual function and vaginal symptoms after TVT-O sling placement.