Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Uretex tension-free vaginal tape procedure in the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence. Design: Retrospective multicenter clinical trial. Setting: Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, The Charles University 2nd Medical School and Teaching Hospital Motol, Prague. Methods: A group of 145 patients with stress urinary incontinence who underwent Uretex tension-free vaginal tape procedure was studied. Procedures were performed from vaginal retropubic route. Patients were operated on in one urological and five gynecological departments in Czech Republic. Preoperative evaluation consisted of complete urogynecological examination, age, parity, body mass index, history of previous pelvic surgery and hormonal status. The cure rate and complications were determined in shortterm postoperative follow-up. Results: The mean age was 56 (25-80) years, the median parity was 2.25 (1-4), 113 (78%) patients were slightly overweight (BMI 25-30 kg/m2) and others had normal weight (BMI 20-25 kg/m2). The cure rate after surgery was 90.3% (131 women). Complications occured in 22 (15.2%) cases. In two (1.4%) patients perforation of the urinary bladder wall occurred. In two (1.4%) women nonperforated injury of bladder wall was postoperatively diagnosed. Retropubic haematoma occurred in another two patients (1.4%). 16 (11%) patients had mild early postoperative complications (eight times short-term urinary retention, six lower urinary tract infections, two urgent symptomatology). Erosion of vaginal wall did not occur postoperatively. All complications were resolved and the patients were free of negative postoperative symptoms 6 month after the procedure. Conclusion: This study shows that Uretex tension-free vaginal tape procedure is an effective and safe minimally invasive surgical procedure in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence.

        Key words: tension-free vaginal tape, TVT, Uretex, cure rate, safety, complications, erosion