Laparoscopic bladder neck suspension using hernia mesh and surgical staples

A laparoscopic colposuspension technique for the correction of urinary stress incontinence has been described in the recent literature. Herein we describe a laparoscopic adaptation of the Burch procedure, used in the treatment of urinary stress incontinence since 1958. The use of titanium hernia staples and Prolene mesh in place of traditional suture material eliminates the need for laparoscopic suturing in the confined pelvic space, a practice that often poses difficulty for inexperienced surgeons. Of 40 female patients treated, with a mean 6-month follow-up, there has been no relapse of stress incontinence. Complications in this modest population have been minor and self-limiting. As with any laparoscopic procedure, the results obtained here may be influenced by the extensive experience of the laparoscopist.