Abdominal operations for stress incontinence

Abstract

Among the surgical procedures with abdominal approach (Burch colposuspension, Marshall-Marchetti-Krantz operation, Richardson paravaginal repair) used to correct genuine stress incontinence (GSI), the Burch colposuspension is both easy to perform and very effective. The purpose of the operation is to reposition the cervicourethral complex in a fixed retropubic space. Since anterior replacement of the vaginal axis may cause iatrogenic enterocele or increase a posterior cystocele or a previous rectocele, other complementary operations (Douglas obliteration, anterior or posterior vaginal repair) are necessary. The authors report that in 256 patients with type I and II genuine stress incontinence, the recovery rate after Burch colposuspension associated with gynecological procedures has been 81.25% in a 1 to 5-year follow-up.