Controlled Balloon Dilatation for Laparoscopic Extraperitoneal Bladder Neck Suspension in Patients with Previous Abdominal Surgery

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Purpose:

The balloon dilator is used in a variety of minimally invasive preperitoneal and retroperitoneal operations. In this study, we compared the ability to create an extraperitoneal cavity using a balloon spacer in patients with and without previous abdominal surgery undergoing laparoscopic bladder neck suspension.

Patients and Methods:

This prospective study included 38 patients in total, 15 of whom had had previous abdominal wall surgery and 23 who had not. A balloon spacer technique was used to develop the extraperitoneal space.

Results:

In 80% of the patients with previous surgery, the introduction of the balloon spacer was recorded as simple; in 20%, it was considered difficult. In 78% of the patients without previous surgery, the introduction of the balloon spacer was recorded as simple, in 17% it was difficult, and in 4% it failed. In 80% of the patients with previous surgery, the extraperitoneal view was good or acceptable, in 20% it was poor, and in 13% it failed. In 92% of the patients without previous surgery, the extraperitoneal view was good or acceptable, in 4% it was poor, and in 4% dilatation failed. Morbidity was equally divided between the groups.

Conclusions:

Previous abdominal surgery is not a contraindication to laparoscopic extraperitoneal surgery using a balloon spacer. The approach carries low morbidity, similar to that in patients without previous abdominal surgery.