The modified Pereyra procedure in recurrent stress urinary incontinence: a 15-year review

To assess the effectiveness and perioperative morbidity of the modified Pereyra procedure in the treatment of recurrent stress urinary incontinence.

Data of 54 patients who underwent a modified Pereyra procedure for the treatment of recurrent stress urinary incontinence between January 1, 1978, and August 1, 1992, were analyzed retrospectively regarding presenting symptoms, preoperative evaluation, surgical procedure, complications, and cure and failure rates. The patients were divided into two groups depending on the preoperative absence (group I) or presence (group II) of risk factors for repeated failure (detrusor instability, low-pressure urethra, fibrotic urethra, negative Q-tip test, and neurogenic incontinence).

After a mean follow-up of 36.3 months, the cure rate of 81.6% in group I (N = 38) was significantly (P = .005) higher than that in group II (N = 16; 43.8% cured). The mean time of occurrence of failure was 11.9 months for group I and 6.8 months for group II. The incidence of intraoperative complications (Pereyra suture in bladder, hemorrhage) for both groups was 7.4%. Immediate postoperative complications were found in 25.9% of all patients; these were mainly infectious processes. Late postoperative complications occurred in 33.3%, with the most prevalent being new-onset urge incontinence and de novo detrusor instability (11.1%) and obstructive voiding dysfunction (9.3%). The rates of perioperative morbidity were not significantly different between the groups.

The modified Pereyra procedure is well suited for the treatment of uncomplicated recurrent stress urinary incontinence, with a long-term cure rate of over 80%. However, success rates are significantly lower for recurrent stress incontinence in association with persistent risk factors for failure. In either instance, the procedure is associated with appreciable perioperative morbidity.