The laparoscopic Burch procedure: Avoiding complications

Summary

Urinary stress incontinence affects approximately 29% of adult women. The primary cause of genuine stress incontinence is loss of support of the urethrovesical junction. The Burch procedure is the most effective technique for correcting the urethrovesical angle and resolving genuine stress incontinence. The performance of this procedure in the classic open manner is associated with complications of infection, haemorrhage and voiding dysfunction. Substitution of a laparoscopic approach to the space of Retzius results in less blood loss, fever, infections, and a decreased incidence of voiding dysfunction with improved results.

Key Words:

• laparoscopy
• colposuspension
• stress incontinence