Objective. To compare efficacy and long- term morbidity of the TVT between patients younger than 70 years and patients older than 70 years. Method. Retrospective monocentric study from January 2000 to May 2001. A postal questionnaire was sent to patients to evaluate their satisfaction and their functional status after surgery. Results. The study included 154 patients, and 137 (89% ) answered the questionnaire. Seventy- two were less than 70 years old (52.5% ) and 65 were more than 70 years old (47.5% ). The satisfaction rate in the total population was 88.3% . Amongst the patients younger than 70 years, 97.5% were cured or improved, versus 78.5% of the oldest patients (p=0.001). The study within age groups showed that the satisfaction rate between 70- 74 years was higher (92.6% ) than in the total population and lower after 75 years (66.7% ). This difference is linked to the rates of de novo and persistent urge incontinence, which increase after 75 years. Conclusion. The TVT seems to be a good treatment for urinary incontinence in women younger than 75 years. Patients should be warned that preoperative urge incontinence may persist after surgery.
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