Female urinary incontinence treated by transvaginal urethral closure and suprapubic catheter.

A new technique for transvaginal closure of the urethra and placement of a suprapubic catheter in 4 patients with total urinary incontinence gave excellent results with all patients remaining dry and accepting the suprapubic catheter. Suspension of the invaginated, closed urethra by sutures, passed through the bladder, is believed to reduce the risk of inadequate healing of the urethra. However, extreme obesity and extensive fibrosis of the periurethral tissue especially with adhesions to the pubic bone are contraindications to the transvaginal approach.