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What is GYNECARE TVT?

It is an innovative, minimally invasive surgical alternative with proven results for the effective treatment of female stress urinary incontinence. To date, more than 150,000 patients worldwide have been treated with GYNECARE TVT. Clinical studies have demonstrated that 84-91% of patients were dry after treatment and an additional 6-12% of patients reported a significant reduction of symptoms.

How does GYNECARE TVT work?

Ordinarily, the urethra maintains a tight seal to prevent involuntary loss of urine. For women with stress urinary incontinence, a weakened pelvic muscle floor cannot support the urethra in its correct position. To correct this, your surgeon will insert a mesh tape through the vagina to support the urethra.

Am I a Candidate for GYNECARE TVT?

The best way to determine if you are a candidate for this procedure is to consult with your doctor. This procedure is appropriate for many types of patients including overweight women and patients who have previously undergone other operations for incontinence. As with any surgery of this kind, this procedure should not be performed in pregnant patients. Additionally, because the mesh-like tape will not stretch significantly, GYNECARE TVT should not be used in women who plan future pregnancy.

What can I expect during surgery?

Surgery using GYNECARE TVT may last only about 30 minutes. While it can be performed under general, regional, or local anesthesia, many surgeons prefer to use local anesthesia. After you have been anesthetized, your surgeon will surgically insert the mesh tape through the vagina. Then your surgeon will “weave” the tape beneath the urethra and pull the tape up through two tiny incisions in the skin's surface just above the pubic area. Your surgeon will evaluate whether the tape is providing adequate support by asking you to cough. Any necessary adjustments can be made right then and there. So, even before you leave the operating room, the surgeon can determine if the procedure is likely to be successful. Performing this evaluation before the procedure is complete also reduces the need for using a urinary catheter (unlike with some stress incontinence procedures). At the end of the procedure, your surgeon will “snip” the tape, just under the skin’s surface, and close the two incisions with adhesive bandages.

What does recovery involve?

You may be able to go home as early as a few hours after your procedure. You can expect a two- to three- week recovery period. During this time, there should be very little interference with daily activities. Your doctor will advise you to avoid heavy lifting and intercourse for four to six weeks.

What are the risks associated with GYNECARE TVT?

All surgical procedures present risks. Although rare, complications associated with the treatment include injury to blood vessels of the pelvic sidewall and abdominal wall, difficulty urinating and bladder, and bowel injury.


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	What is GYNECARE TVT? It is an innovative, minimally invasive surgical alternative with proven results for the effective treatment of female stress urinary incontinence. To date, more than 150,000 patients worldwide have been treated with GYNECARE TVT. Clinical studies have demonstrated that 84-91% of patients were dry after treatment and an additional 6-12% of patients reported a significant reduction of symptoms. How does GYNECARE TVT work? Ordinarily, the urethra maintains a tight seal to prevent involuntary loss of urine. For women with stress urinary incontinence, a weakened pelvic muscle floor cannot support the urethra in its correct position. To correct this, your surgeon will insert a mesh tape through the vagina to support the urethra. Am I a Candidate for GYNECARE TVT? The best way to determine if you are a candidate for this procedure is to consult with your doctor. This procedure is appropriate for many types of patients including overweight women and patients who have previously undergone other operations for incontinence. As with any surgery of this kind, this procedure should not be performed in pregnant patients. Additionally, because the mesh-like tape will not stretch significantly, GYNECARE TVT should not be used in women who plan future pregnancy. What can I expect during surgery? Surgery using GYNECARE TVT may last only about 30 minutes. While it can be performed under general, regional, or local anesthesia, many surgeons prefer to use local anesthesia. After you have been anesthetized, your surgeon will surgically insert the mesh tape through the vagina. Then your surgeon will “weave” the tape beneath the urethra and pull the tape up through two tiny incisions in the skin's surface just above the pubic area. Your surgeon will evaluate whether the tape is providing adequate support by asking you to cough. Any necessary adjustments can be made right then and there. So, even before you leave the operating room, the surgeon can determine if the procedure is likely to be successful. Performing this evaluation before the procedure is complete also reduces the need for using a urinary catheter (unlike with some stress incontinence procedures). At the end of the procedure, your surgeon will “snip” the tape, just under the skin’s surface, and close the two incisions with adhesive bandages. What does recovery involve? You may be able to go home as early as a few hours after your procedure. You can expect a two- to three- week recovery period. During this time, there should be very little interference with daily activities. Your doctor will advise you to avoid heavy lifting and intercourse for four to six weeks. What are the risks associated with GYNECARE TVT? All surgical procedures present risks. Although rare, complications associated with the treatment include injury to blood vessels of the pelvic sidewall and abdominal wall, difficulty urinating and bladder, and bowel injury.