Objective To compare the success rate and complications after colposuspension and tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) insertion in women aged 70 years or more compared with younger women. Design A retrospective study of patients having surgery between November 2000 and October 2002.Setting A tertiary referral, academic urogynaecology unit in a University teaching hospital.Population Two hundred and twenty-six women having surgical treatment for urinary incontinence.Methods Data on cure/improvement and complications were extracted from the notes. Patients were grouped by age at surgery and the odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for each outcome were calculated. Main outcome measures Subjective cure rate and the incidence of complications by age group.Results One hundred and three patients had colposuspension, 11 (10.7%) aged 70 or more. One hundred and twenty-three patients had TVT insertions, 23 (18.7%) aged 70 or more. The cure rate for each procedure was similar between age groups. After colposuspension, urinary tract infection (UTI; OR 11.33; 95% CI 2.61, 49.28) and long term self-catheterisation (percentage of difference 9.1; 95% CI 3.0, 15.2) were more common in women over 70. After TVT, repeat urodynamics (OR 3.91; 95% CI 1.11, 13.76), recurrent UTI (OR 4.22; 95% CI 1.03, 17.26) and tape division (OR 29.12; 95% CI 3.20, 264.86) were more common in older women. Conclusions Incontinence surgery carries a higher risk of complications in the elderly including UTI and voiding dysfunction. Extended antibiotic prophylaxis and intermittent self-catheterisation training should be offered to elderly women before surgery.