Burch colposuspension for stress urinary incontinence. 5-year results in 153 women

The long-term results of Burch colposuspension for stress urinary incontinence were evaluated in 153 women operated on in 1984-1990. At follow-up 2 months postoperatively, 88% of the women reported continence, 5% were almost continent and the failure rate was 7%. At 24 months the corresponding figures were 86.7 and 7% and 39-102 months (mean 5 years) postoperatively they were 78, 11 and 11%. There were few complications. Follow-up urodynamic investigations showed significant rise of the pressure transmission from bladder to urethra in the cured patients. Reasons for failure are discussed. For patients with low urethral closure pressure, a vaginal sling procedure is preferable to Burch operation. Burch colposuspension is safe and advisable for patients with genuine stress incontinence. Urodynamic evaluation thus should be made preoperatively, but need not to be repeated if the clinical result is good.