Correction of stress incontinence and cystocele through the utilization of strips of polypropylene

Abstract

In order to correct stress incontinence and/or cystocele we propose the well-known Burch technique modified by utilizing polypropylene strips (about 5 cm in length and 2 cm in width) for the suspension of the vagina to Cooper's ligaments, and, depending on the degree of cystocele and/or the severity of the uterine pathology, possibly associated hysterectomy and stabilization of the vaginal cupula to the uterosacral and round ligaments (always using the above-mentioned polypropylene strips). The aim of this technique is to avoid the complication considered by many authors to be the most frequent cause of failure in the surgery of stress incontinence and cystocele: tension of the suspension structures and threads. These strips may be used through either laparoscopic or laparotomic approach. The results we obtained could be described as satisfying; complications were rare.