title: Laparoscopic suburethral sling procedure.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the technique of laparoscopic suburethral sling and discuss patient satisfaction and subjective continence rates over 7 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective analysis (Canadian Task Force classification III).
  
  
  METHODS
  Private practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-three consecutive patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Laparoscopic sling procedure using either autologous or donor fascia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The space of Retzius is entered laparoscopically. Then from a vaginal approach, a small midline vertical incision is made below the urethra, and vaginal epithelium is dissected off underlying periurethral and paravesical fascia. Material for the sling is passed underneath the urethra and secured laparoscopically to Cooper's ligaments bilaterally. Over 7 years, 63 laparoscopic suburethral sling procedures were performed. Overall, patients reported 88.9% satisfaction rate and 81.0% subjective continence rate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The laparoscopic approach is an acceptable alternative to other suburethral sling procedures.
authors.affiliation: Chattanooga Women's Laser Center, Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA.
authors.forename: John Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Phelps
authors.forename: Lawrence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: C Y
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005205:Fascia / Q000637:transplantation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014522:Urethral Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D013520:Urologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*