Long-Term Results of Laparoscopic Burch
With recent advances in endoscopic surgery, suturing techniques, and balloon technology, laparoscopic Burch procedure with an extraperitoneal approach is a feasible alternative for the treatment of urinary stress incontinence (USI). Of 35 consecutive women (average age 47 yrs, average weight 193 lbs) undergoing laparoscopic Burch, 29 had genuine USI and 7 mixed incontinence with marked stress component. Average length of hospital stay was 2.4 days (range 1-10 days) and return to normal bladder function 5 days (range 2-8 days). The success rate, defined as dry at all times, was 90%, and 10% of women reported that they were much improved. Average follow-up was 20 months (range 4-38 mo). These results compare very favorably with findings published for conventional Burch.
Nieves
A
Gynecologic Endoscopy, University of Tennessee College of Medicine, 979 E. Third Street, Suite 2000, Chattanooga, TN 37403.