STUDY OBJECTIVE: To prospectively evaluate the use of gasless laparoscopy techniques in the performance of a traditional Burch colposuspension in women with urodynamically-demonstrated genuine stress incontinence and urethral hypermobility. DESIGN: Multicenter, prospective, single-intervention series (Canadian Task Force Classification II-2). SETTING: Three urogynecologic referral centers. PATIENTS: Fifty-eight women. INTERVENTION: Traditional Burch colposuspension performed utilizing gasless laparoscopic access and conventional surgical instruments. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Follow-up was 12 to 38 months. On pad testing, urine loss was significantly reduced, from 6.0 g (CI: 0.55-11.45) to 0.3 g (CI: 0-1.53). Average daily incontinence episodes based on 7-day voiding diaries decreased from 4.7 (CI: 0.87-8.53) to 0.3 (CI: 0-1.58). Q-tip angles were normalized: 49.8 degrees (CI: 40.86-58.74) to 10 degrees (CI: 1.49-18.51). Ninety-five percent of subjects reported resolution of stress incontinence. Three subjects (5%) reported recurrent/persistent genuine stress incontinence: one was operated on during the postpartum period while breastfeeding, and two developed intrinsic sphincteric deficiency postoperatively. Fifty-five percent of subjects underwent other pelvic reconstructive surgery including posterior wall repairs. Average operative time was 60.8 minutes (range, 40-92). The ideal candidate has an unscarred abdominal wall. CONCLUSION: Gasless laparoscopic access was used to effectively perform traditional Burch colposuspension using conventional open surgical instruments. Bladder neck hypermobility was normalized in all subjects, and 95% of subjects reported no further stress incontinence.
STUDY OBJECTIVE: To prospectively evaluate the use of gasless laparoscopy techniques in the performance of a traditional Burch colposuspension in women with urodynamically-demonstrated genuine stress incontinence and urethral hypermobility. DESIGN: Multicenter, prospective, single-intervention series (Canadian Task Force Classification II-2). SETTING: Three urogynecologic referral centers. PATIENTS: Fifty-eight women. INTERVENTION: Traditional Burch colposuspension performed utilizing gasless laparoscopic access and conventional surgical instruments. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Follow-up was 12 to 38 months. On pad testing, urine loss was significantly reduced, from 6.0 g (CI: 0.55-11.45) to 0.3 g (CI: 0-1.53). Average daily incontinence episodes based on 7-day voiding diaries decreased from 4.7 (CI: 0.87-8.53) to 0.3 (CI: 0-1.58). Q-tip angles were normalized: 49.8 degrees (CI: 40.86-58.74) to 10 degrees (CI: 1.49-18.51). Ninety-five percent of subjects reported resolution of stress incontinence. Three subjects (5%) reported recurrent/persistent genuine stress incontinence: one was operated on during the postpartum period while breastfeeding, and two developed intrinsic sphincteric deficiency postoperatively. Fifty-five percent of subjects underwent other pelvic reconstructive surgery including posterior wall repairs. Average operative time was 60.8 minutes (range, 40-92). The ideal candidate has an unscarred abdominal wall. CONCLUSION: Gasless laparoscopic access was used to effectively perform traditional Burch colposuspension using conventional open surgical instruments. Bladder neck hypermobility was normalized in all subjects, and 95% of subjects reported no further stress incontinence.