Treatment Overview
The Gynecare TVT Exact Sling Procedure is a highly refined, minimally invasive surgical treatment for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) that uses the Ethicon Gynecare TVT Exact System — one of the world’s most trusted and clinically proven sling technologies.
This procedure involves placing a narrow strip of tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) made of medical-grade polypropylene mesh under the mid-urethra, providing support to prevent urine leakage during physical activities such as coughing, laughing, or exercising.
In Korea, the Gynecare TVT Exact technique is performed using endoscopic guidance and precision tension adjustment, offering excellent long-term results, minimal downtime, and rapid recovery — making it one of the most advanced and effective forms of bladder suspension surgery available today.
Purpose & Benefits
Purpose:
- To treat stress urinary incontinence caused by weakened urethral or pelvic-floor support.
- To stabilize the urethra and bladder neck using a tension-free support system.
- To restore urinary control and prevent leakage during exertion or pressure increases.
- To provide a long-term, minimally invasive alternative to open or extensive bladder suspension surgeries.
Benefits:
- Quick, minimally invasive procedure (20–30 minutes).
- Small incisions with no visible external scars.
- Short hospital stay — often same-day discharge.
- Fast recovery and immediate symptom relief in many cases.
- Proven safety and efficacy with over two decades of global use.
- Durable results with high patient satisfaction rates (success rate over 85–95%).
- Korean hospitals use enhanced imaging systems and refined tensioning techniques for precision and comfort.
Ideal Candidates
The Gynecare TVT Exact Sling Procedure is ideal for:
- Women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) due to urethral hypermobility or bladder-neck descent.
- Postpartum or menopausal women experiencing urinary leakage.
- Patients who have not improved with conservative therapies (Kegel exercises, EMS, or laser treatments).
- Women seeking a short, effective, and low-risk surgical correction.
- Those desiring a mesh-based solution with proven safety and minimal invasiveness.
- Individuals without active pelvic infection or severe pelvic-organ prolapse.
Not suitable for:
- Women with intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD) requiring alternative slings.
- Patients with untreated urinary infections or bleeding disorders.
Possible Risks & Complications
The Gynecare TVT Exact Sling is considered safe, with very low complication rates. However, potential risks may include:
- Temporary urinary retention or difficulty voiding.
- Mild pelvic discomfort, bruising, or swelling post-surgery.
- Transient urgency or frequency (resolves within weeks).
- Mesh exposure or erosion (extremely rare with the TVT Exact’s soft monofilament design).
- Minor bleeding or infection at incision sites.
- Bladder perforation during placement (rare and corrected intraoperatively).
Korean uro-gynecologic surgeons follow meticulous protocols with real-time endoscopic visualization to ensure sling accuracy and minimize all risks.
Surgical Techniques Used
The Gynecare TVT Exact Sling utilizes the tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) principle — a globally recognized, evidence-based technique. In Korea, it is executed with superior surgical precision and technology.
Surgical Approach:
- A small vaginal incision (1–1.5 cm) is made beneath the mid-urethra.
- Two fine needles guide the polypropylene mesh sling behind the pubic bone (retropubic approach).
- The tape is positioned “tension-free,” allowing natural urethral movement while preventing leakage.
- Endoscopic inspection (cystoscopy) ensures proper bladder integrity and tape positioning.
- The small incisions are closed with absorbable sutures; no large cuts or visible scars.
Korean Surgical Enhancements Include:
- Endoscopic and ultrasound-guided tape placement for millimeter-level accuracy.
- Precision tension calibration systems to ensure natural urinary flow without obstruction.
- Next-generation Gynecare mesh materials for superior biocompatibility and reduced tissue reaction.
- Hybrid approaches combining TVT with vaginal laser tightening or pelvic-floor EMS for enhanced results.
- Short anesthesia time and optimized recovery protocols for minimal downtime.
Variations Performed in Korea:
- Retropubic TVT Exact: Standard and most widely used approach for strong urethral support.
- Mini-Sling (TVT-Abbrevo): Smaller mesh, single incision, minimal tissue disruption.
- Combination Pelvic Reconstruction: TVT placement alongside vaginal repair or rejuvenation for comprehensive pelvic health.
Recovery & Aftercare
Recovery:
- Typically outpatient surgery; hospital stay of a few hours.
- Minimal postoperative discomfort; managed with oral medication.
- Return to light daily activity within 1–2 days.
- Full recovery and pelvic healing within 4–6 weeks.
Aftercare:
- Avoid sexual activity, heavy lifting, and strenuous exercise for 4–6 weeks.
- Maintain good genital hygiene and avoid submersion in water for 2 weeks.
- Attend follow-up appointments for bladder and sling evaluation.
- Perform gentle pelvic-floor exercises after recovery to strengthen muscles.
- Stay hydrated and avoid bladder irritants like caffeine or alcohol during healing.
- Korean clinics often include postoperative pelvic rehabilitation programs for long-term strength and continence maintenance.
Results & Longevity
Results:
- Significant reduction or complete elimination of urinary leakage in most patients.
- Restored bladder and urethral control, improving confidence and lifestyle.
- Immediate improvement often noticed within days after surgery.
- Enhanced pelvic-floor support and vaginal tone.
- Minimal scarring and natural functional results.
Longevity:
- Results are long-lasting, typically 10–15 years or more.
- Long-term success rate exceeds 90% when performed with proper follow-up.
- Sling materials integrate well with native tissues for permanent support.
- Lifestyle management and pelvic exercises help maintain long-term benefits.
Treatment Process in Korea
Why Korea is a Top Destination:
- Korea is a leader in minimally invasive uro-gynecology and pelvic-floor surgery.
- Surgeons are internationally trained in TVT and advanced continence procedures.
- Use of high-resolution endoscopic systems ensures precision and safety.
- Hospitals emphasize both functional restoration and aesthetic recovery.
- Multilingual medical staff, transparent pricing, and world-class technology attract international patients.
- Korea’s medical system integrates diagnostic imaging, advanced surgery, and postoperative rehabilitation within a single care plan.
Typical Surgical Process:
- Consultation & Diagnosis: Comprehensive pelvic-floor assessment and urodynamic testing.
- Preparation: Local, spinal, or general anesthesia depending on patient preference and case complexity.
- TVT Sling Placement: Endoscopic-guided tape insertion beneath the mid-urethra using the Gynecare system.
- Verification: Cystoscopy performed to confirm correct placement and bladder safety.
- Closure: Tiny incisions closed with absorbable sutures; dressing applied.
- Postoperative Observation: Bladder voiding checked before discharge.
- Follow-Up: Clinical review at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months to ensure continence and healing.
Unique Korean Methods & Technology:
- Endoscopic 3D visualization for accurate tape anchoring.
- Precision-guided mesh positioning tailored to patient anatomy.
- Robotic-assisted support in complex or recurrent cases.
- Integrated pelvic wellness care combining surgery with EMS, HIFU, or RF tightening.
- Aesthetic closure techniques for invisible healing.
Cost Range (Details)
The cost of Gynecare TVT Exact Sling Procedure in Korea depends on hospital type, technology used, and additional care options:
- Standard TVT Exact Procedure: ₩ 4,000,000 – 6,500,000 KRW (≈ US $3,000 – $4,900)
- Mini-Sling or TVT-Abbrevo: ₩ 3,000,000 – 5,000,000 KRW (≈ US $2,300 – $3,800)
- Combination Procedure (TVT + Laser / EMS Rehab): ₩ 7,000,000 – 10,000,000 KRW (≈ US $5,300 – $7,600)
- Comprehensive Pelvic Health Package: ₩ 8,000,000 – 12,000,000 KRW (≈ US $6,000 – $9,100)
Korea provides world-class expertise at competitive pricing, with advanced technology and internationally certified uro-gynecologic surgeons ensuring excellent outcomes.
Popular Clinics in Korea
- Top university-affiliated women’s hospitals offering Gynecare-certified TVT procedures.
- Gangnam-based uro-gynecology centers specializing in minimally invasive sling surgeries.
- Women-exclusive pelvic-floor clinics combining functional and cosmetic pelvic restoration.
- Postpartum recovery centers integrating TVT surgery with rehabilitation.
- International medical-tourism hospitals providing concierge support and holistic women’s care.
