Surgical results and urodynamic studies 10 years after retropubic colpourethrocystopexy

Retropubic colpourethrocystopexy has been shown to be associated with good immediate cure rate in treating female urinary stress incontinence. Urodynamic data is often lacking in follow-up studies. This study presents long-term results 8-12 years after operation. Between 1979-1982, 72 women suffering from genuine stress incontinence underwent a colpourethrocystopexy. Follow-up was done 1989-1990. Each patient had a complete urodynamic evaluation preoperatively and at the follow-up. Mean age at operation was 46.2 years and follow-up was done on average 9.4 years later (8-12 years). 71% were postmenopausal at the time of follow-up. Surgical cure rate was 90.3%, 9.7% (seven patients) were considered failures. Five of the seven patients had experienced much improvement. A number of patients showed a decrease in one or more urodynamic parameter without a recurrence of stress incontinence. The bladder neck was incompetent in 38 (52.8%) of the patients, 31 of the 38 patients were still continent. Retropubic colpourethrocystopexy should be considered the primary operation for the treatment of female stress incontinence. Cure rate and postoperative evaluation cannot be judged by urodynamic parameters only, as some of the continent women showed a decrease in one or more urodynamic parameters that are considered important for continence. Bladder neck competence is not necessary for postoperative continence.