Advances in laparoscopic techniques in pelvic reconstructive surgery for prolapse and incontinence.

Advances in minimally invasive surgery have led to an increasing adoption of laparoscopic techniques in pelvic reconstructive surgery and treatment of urinary incontinence. Our review of recent developments aims to identify and evaluate the evidence for use of these procedures. Recent literature continues to support the use of laparoscopy for colposuspension and sacrocolpopexy, as an effective alternative to open surgery. However, with the advent of retropubic mid-urethral slings for stress urinary incontinence, laparoscopic Burch colposuspension has now become obsolete. There are relatively few reports on other laparoscopic prolapse procedures, such as uterosacral ligament vault suspension, uterine suspension, paravaginal defect repair and rectocele repair. In conclusion, several short-term studies support the use of laparoscopy in pelvic reconstructive surgery and urogynaecology but longer-term investigations are needed to confirm their findings.