Long-term follow-up of a transvaginal Burch urethropexy for stress urinary incontinence.

Abstract

The objective of the study was to describe long-term objective and subjective success rates and complications following transvaginal Burch urethropexy for stress urinary incontinence. A case series of 66 women who underwent vaginal Burch urethropexy for urodynamic stress urinary incontinence with urethral hypermobility using a suture carrier device is presented. Concurrent prolapse repairs were performed as indicated. Sixty-six women (mean age 49.4 +/- 12.1 years) underwent vaginal Burch urethropexy. Mean follow-up time was 20.9 +/- 18.9 months. Objective failure was observed in 16 patients (24.2%). Subjective failure was reported by 21.2% of patients, with 50% and 28.8% reporting success and improvement, respectively. Six patients (9%) experienced febrile illness, 4 (6%) experienced intraoperative hemorrhage, 1 (1.5%) received transfusion, and 1 (1.5%) experienced pelvic abscess. Twelve patients (18.2%) experienced suture erosion; half required surgical revision or excision. Vaginal Burch urethropexy is generally well tolerated but is associated with poor long-term success and high suture erosion rates.