Laparoscopic Retzio-plasty. A new surgical approach to stress incontinence.

When considering this article the reader needs to abandon a certain number of the surgeon's traditional reflexes, setting aside the purely mechanical goal of repair to revert to fundamental notions linked with the very nature of the maternal on which we work. This material is living tissue which behaves according to its own laws of repair. In view of this fact, the surgeon's main preoccupation changes and he no longer carries out the repair himself but entrusts this task to the body's own fantastic healing powers. With this approach the author initiates and guides a fibroblastic reaction with the aim of reinforcing a ligament or more generally a weakened fibro-connective area. This is achieved with total respect for the original anatomy, avoiding any tissue trauma. Naturally enough the results are not immediate and depend on the quality of the body's reaction. Fifty-four patients presenting with urinary stress incontinence were treated with this method. The results are remarkable in terms of patient satisfaction concerning this incontinence reaching 74% although it must be said there is insufficient follow-up as yet. This operation opens up interesting perspectives for research in the field of materials capable of stimulating the necessary organic reactions to a sufficient degree to ensure what could in fact be called a "self-repair".