Tension-Free Vaginal Tape for Stress Incontinence in Women

Reference Stress incontinence Opens New Window in women can cause frequent involuntary release of urine during activities that put pressure on your bladder, such as coughing or laughing. The tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure is designed to provide support for a sagging Reference urethra Opens New Window so that when you cough or move vigorously or suddenly, the urethra can remain closed with no accidental release of urine.

In TVT surgery, a mesh tape is placed under your urethra like a sling or hammock to keep it in its normal position. The tape is inserted through tiny incisions in your abdomen and vaginal wall. No sutures are required to hold the tape in place. TVT surgery takes about 30 minutes and may be done under Reference local anesthesia Opens New Window so you can cough at the surgeon's request to test the tape's support of your urethra.

Other sling surgeries are done in a way that is similar to TVT surgery. Transobturator tape (TOT) surgery is done almost as often as TVT in a slightly different way.

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