Information and downloadable patient documents for mid-urethral sling (TVT) treatment abroad.
A mid-urethral sling, also known as tension-free vaginal tape (TVT), is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat stress urinary incontinence. A narrow strip of synthetic mesh is placed beneath the urethra to provide support.
The procedure has been on hold in Ireland since 2018. It is a safe and effective procedure and considered the gold standard internationally in surgical treatment of stress incontinace. All cases are discussed by a Cork-based multidisciplinary team to determine eligibility, and patients are extensively counselled regarding the risks and benefits.
It is available throughout the European Union. Professor O'Reilly travells to Spain to perform the operation and provides pre operative counselling and follow up care in Ireland.
Patients considering this treatment abroad should review the information leaflet and consent documents below, and discuss the benefits, risks, alternatives, travel arrangements, recovery, and follow-up care with their clinical team before making a decision.
Treatment can be funded either privatly via healthcare abroad, or publically via the EU-Crossborder directive
View an interactive 3D animation of the mid-urethral sling (TVT) procedure:
Watch videos about the mid-urethral sling procedure:
A TVT sling may be considered for stress urinary incontinence that causes leakage when coughing, laughing, sneezing, exercising, or carrying out other physical activities, particularly when conservative treatment has not provided adequate relief.
The operation is generally performed under general or spinal anaesthetic. Small incisions are made and the mesh tape is positioned beneath the mid-urethra without tension. Your surgical team will explain the exact technique planned for you.
Many patients go home on the day of surgery or the following morning. Recovery varies, and your care team will provide individual guidance about wound care, activity, lifting, exercise, work, travel, warning signs, and follow-up.
Confirm who will provide your pre-operative assessment, surgery, discharge advice, and follow-up care. Make sure you know whom to contact if you develop difficulty urinating, fever, worsening pain, unusual discharge, bleeding, or another concern after returning home.
Select a surgical option below to explore the pathway and supporting information.
Interactive presentation adapted from the Urogynaecological Society of Australasia (UGSA) 2016 surgical pathway. It supports, but does not replace, individual consultation and informed consent.
Visit the Healthcare Abroad mid-urethral sling procedure page for information about its pathway and service.
Please download and read the relevant information and consent documents:
The documents and links on this page provide general information and do not replace an individual clinical consultation or informed-consent discussion. Suitability, risks, expected outcomes, and recovery differ from person to person.
Questions about the procedure or these documents? Please discuss them with your treating consultant before signing a consent form or arranging travel.
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