What is TVT

Urinary incontinence (involuntary leakage of urine) is an extremely common, distressing and socially disabling condition. It is known to affect up to 14 % of the adult female population in the United Kingdom. Sufferers tend to become social recluses, not wanting to socialise for fear of embarrassment and ridicule. It typically takes up to 5 years from the onset of symptoms for a patient to admit their problem, seek help and reach a Specialist. Unfortunately, it is commonest in the elderly when the incidence is as high as 50% in some studies. Furthermore, this group of patients are the least likely to seek help, the least likely to receive help and up until recently the least likely to be cured of their problems.

The Operation

TVT Sling surgery usually takes approximately 20-30 minutes. While it is usually performed under general anaesthesia, it can be performed using either local, spinal or epidural anaesthesia.