Treatments / Tension free tape (TFT)
i might need...
- Anterior and posterior repair
- Antibiotics
- Assisted conception
- Bladder training
- Catheter
- Colposcopy
- Colposuspension
- Combined oral contraceptive pill
- Diet and exercise
- HRT (hormone replacement therapy)
- Hysterectomy
- Hysteroscopy
- Laparoscopy
- Medical (adenomyosis)
- Medical (bladder)
- Medical (BV)
- Medical (DUB)
- Medical (dysmenorrhea)
- Medical (endometriosis)
- Medical (fibroids)
- Medical (PCOS)
- Medical (perimenopausal bleeding)
- Medical (problem periods)
- Medical (thrush)
- Myomectomy
- Oophorectomy
- Pelvic floor exercises
- Pelvic floor repair
- Surgery - designer vaginas
- Surgery for prolapse
- Tension free tape (TFT)
- Uterine artery embolisation (UAE)
- Vulvectomy
which means...
Tension free tape (TFT)
Although the idea of using a sling to elevate the bladder neck is not new, it is only in the last couple of years that a popular method has been identified. This operation involves the insertion of a special tape that elevates the bladder neck by placing a sling or tape around the neck and squeezing the surrounding tissue to strengthen the bladder neck. A small cut is made in the vagina and the tape is passed either side of the bladder using a metal needle. A cystoscopy (look inside the bladder) must be performed to check that the tape or needle has not entered the bladder. If so the tape must be taken out and the procedure repeated.
Because this procedure is less traumatic and does not involve opening the abdomen, the risks are less and the recovery much quicker, with a comparable success rate (~80%), when compared to colposuspension. This is why the procedure has become so popular. There remains concern over whether the tape will cause problems after five or ten years.
Getting help
If you wish to make an appointment to seek further advice and or treatment, please contact Dr Harrington's secretary.
it treats...
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Stress incontinence
When you strain the abdomen, the pressure on the bladder is increased. If the bladder neck is damaged or weak (typically as a result of the trauma of a vaginal delivery), you may leak urine when you exert yourself.
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