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Robotic Surgery Virtual Tour

Urinary incontinence - tension-free vaginal tape - Risks

Alternative Names

TVT; Urethral suspension

Risks:

Risks for any surgery are:

Incision infection and the incision opens up
Breathing problems
Bleeding
Other infection

Risks for this surgery are:

Damage to the urethra, bladder, or vagina
It may be harder to empty your bladder. Or you may not be able to empty your bladder and need a catheter.
Urine leakage may get worse.
You may have a reaction to the synthetic tape.
Erosion (breaking down) of tape
Irritable bladder, where you may feel the need to urinate more often
Changes in the vagina (prolapsed vagina, where the vagina is not in the proper place)
Pubic bone pain
Fistula (or connection) between the vagina and the skin

Reviewed last on: 1/13/2009
Louis S. Liou, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Urology, Department of Surgery, Boston University School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Dmochowski R, Scarpero H, Starkman J. Tension free vaginal tape procedures. In: Wein AJ, ed. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders; 2007:chap 68.

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