[Isolated Burch type indirect colposuspension of the bladder neck in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence in women. Long-term results].

OBJECTIVES

Burch indirect colposuspension remains the reference surgical operation in the treatment of female urinary stress incontinence. The stability of the results is highly controversial and the causes of failure remain hypothetical. The objective of this study was to analyse the long-term results of this technique.

METHODS

100 women suffering from pure urinary stress incontinence, in whom a Burch indirect colposuspension was performed, were included in this study. These patients were reviewed with a mean follow-up of 5.2 years and a questionnaire designed to assess the results was sent to their homes.

RESULTS

64% of patients no longer suffered from incontinence. Deterioration of the results was observed up to 5 years after the operation, but subsequently remained stable. The results were operator-independent. Low sphincter pressure (< 30 cm H2O), preoperative detrusor instability, insufficient hormonal impregnation and a history of pelvic surgery were the main factors predictive of failure of this technique.

CONCLUSION

This study confirms the benefit provided by this technique in almost two-thirds of patients and indicates the risk factors of failure which must be taken into account before proposing Burch indirect colposuspension to a woman suffering from urinary stress incontinence.