Modified Burch colposuspension for stress urinary incontinence in females

Modified Burch colposuspension was performed upon 186 women having clinically and urodynamically verified stress urinary incontinence (SUI). After two years, 91 percent of the patients were cured or markedly improved. The success rate was as much as 95 percent among the patients who underwent Burch colposuspension as a first operative treatment for incontinence. In the patients with recurrent SUI, the cure rate was 82 percent. Failures appeared mostly during the first six months. There were no significant differences in cure rates between the patients who underwent concomitant hysterectomy and those who did not. The comparison of two different suture materials, Dexon (polyglycolic acid) and Maxon (polyglyconate monofilament absorbable) did not produce any significant differences. Temporary urinary retention was the most common postoperative complaint. During the six to 12 postoperative months, 19 percent of the patients experienced urgency and 9 percent had mild voiding difficulties. After one year, 12 percent of the patients had rectocele or enterocele, or both, which were surgically corrected. We conclude that modified Burch colposuspension is a safe and effective primary surgical method for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence in women.