Transabdominal repair of cystocele by wedge colpectomy during combined abdominal-vaginal surgery

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of transabdominal wedge colpectomy as surgical treatment for cystocele. One hundred and sixty-three women with either first or second-degree cystocele (Beecham classification), rectocele and concomitant stress urinary incontinence or benign pelvic masses were submitted for a combined operation. Transabdominal repair of the cystocele was performed by wedge colpectomy employing two different absorbable sutures, Vicryl and PDS. The choice of suture was not random but depended on the period at which surgery was performed. Data obtained were analyzed with Student’st-test and Fisher’s exact test. The cystocele cure rate was 90.2% (110 out of 122) at 3-year follow-up and was significantly associated with the preoperative degree, being 95.5% and 76.5% in first and in second degree, respectively (P=0.003). At 1-year follow-up the cure rate was significantly associated with the type of the suture employed (P=0.01). At 2-year follow-up rectocele cure rate was 97.2% and vaginal vault prolapse appeared in 3.5% of cases. Stress urinary incontinence relapsed in 10% of patients after Burch colposuspension. After the operation 94.1% of the women declared normal coitus. In the present series wedge colpectomy was found to be effective in repairing first-degree cystocele, whereas a high incidence of relapse was observed when second-degree cystocele was present preoperatively. The suture material employed influenced the cure rate. EDITORIAL COMMENT: Wedge colpectomy of the anterior vaginal wall has been described by Weinstein and Roberts (1949), Macer (1978) and Drutz (1991) as a means of abdominally correcting anterior vaginal wall relaxation. Although the present authors did not find as high a success rate with the procedure as the previous investigators, they do show that an abdominal approach to cystocele repair is feasible. There are instances when such an approach would be advantageous to avoid repositioning for a vaginal anterior wall repair. The danger of abdominal anterior wedge colpectomy lies in the dissection of the bladder base from the underlying vaginal wall. Dissection in this area must proceed carefully to avoid trauma to the bladder, ureters and, more distally, to the urethrovesical junction. Performed carefully, with attention directed at avoiding these structures, the abdominal wedge colpectomy is a potentially useful procedure to add to the armamentarium of the urogynecologic surgeon.     

Pelvic floor neuropathy in relation to the outcome of burch colposuspension

The aim of the study was to determine the role of neurogenic damage to pelvic floor muscles on the outcome of Burch colposuspension. Thirty women objectively continent after Burch colposuspension and 18 women with recurrent stress urinary incontinence (RSUI) were investigated with concentric needle electrode electromyography (EMG) in both pubococcygeus muscles and the external anal sphincter muscle. Neurogenic EMG patterns were significantly more often seen in the pubococcygeus muscles in women with RSUI than in women continent after the colposuspension (P<0.05). The distribution of neurogenic EMG patterns in the investigated muscles was significantly more pronounced in women with RSUI than in continent women: at least one pubococcygeus muscle with neurogenic EMG pattern, 72% vs. 34% (P<0.05); both pubococcygeus muscles, 50% vs. 13% (P<0.05); and all three investigated muscles 41% vs. 10% (P<0.05). In conclusion, the results imply an association between the outcome of the Burch colposuspension and the occurrence of neuropathy in the pelvic floor muscles. Occurrence of neurogenic damage in the pubococcygeus muscles seems to impair the outcome of Burch colposuspension.     

Prevention of genital prolapse following Burch colposuspension: comparison between two surgical procedures

 Our objective was to evaluate the efficacy of cul-de-sac obliteration in preventing pelvic floor anatomical defects formation following Burch colposuspension. We evaluated 441 patients who had undergone Burch colposuspension. The patients were divided into two groups: group A (132 patients) who underwent Burch colposuspension only, and group B (309 patients) who had had a concomitant cul-de-sac obliteration. Cul-de-sac obliteration was performed using two different techniques, the Moschocowitz procedure in 131 patients, and approximation of the sacrouterine ligaments in 178 patients. The follow-up period was 8.6 years (range 3–16). In total we found 43/441 (9.7%) postoperative anatomical defects. Obliteration of the cul de sac significantly (P<0.0001) reduced the formation of anatomical defects compared to Burch colposuspension. In a comparison of the two surgical procedures for cul-de-sac obliteration, the approximation of the sacrouterine ligaments was significantly more effective than either the Moschcowitz procedure (P<0.001) or the Burch colposuspension alone (P<0.001). The Moschcowitz procedure reduced the formation of anatomical defects to 15/131 (11.4%) compared to Burch colposuspension only (25/132; 18.9%), but statistically the difference was insignificant. The time of anatomical defect detection was significantly reduced after cul-de-sac obliteration: 2 years 6/25 (24%) in group A compared to 1/8 (5.5%) in group B (P<0.01). After 5 years the detection rate was 64% (16/25) and 22.2% (4/18) respectively (P<0.01). It was concluded that cul-de-sac obliteration using approximation of the sacrouterine ligaments significantly reduced the incidence of anatomical defect formation following Burch colposuspension. A long follow-up period is needed to evaluate the truce incidence. Received: 2 October 2002 / Accepted: 2 July 2002     

Pelvic pain and recurrent urinary incontinence after laparoscopic colposuspension with the endo-stapler

Laparoscopic colposuspension is one of many new operations for treating female urinary stress incontinence. With initially reported success rates similar to those of the traditional open procedure, it appears to combine the advantages of laparoscopy (such as minimal invasiveness and quicker return to normal activities) with the effectiveness of the standard procedure. Different methods and approaches are used, but endoscopic suture techniques remain difficult and time-consuming. The use of endostapling devices for fixation of alloplastic material has been a tempting alternative. We present a case during which laparoscopic colposuspension was performed using staples and mesh. Incontinence did not improve, and the patient suffered severe chronic pain for 18 months postoperatively. Removal of the alloplastic material and traditional abdominal resuspension led to complete cure.     

Laparoscopic Surgery for Genuine Stress Incontinence

Laparoscopic Burch colposuspension has rapidly become one of the primary surgical treatment options for genuine stress incontinence. The procedure has been modified by some investigators because of technical difficulty with laparoscopic suturing, but should be identical to the conventional open Burch procedure. This article reviews the indications, operative technique, clinical results, complications and learning curve for laparoscopic retropubic surgical procedures.     

Long-term results of Burch colposuspension and anterior colpoperineorraphy in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence and cystocele

OBJECTIVE: Female urinary incontinence and bladder prolapse are very common conditions whose treatment is not standardized. The aim of this study was to evaluate retrospectively the long-term results of Burch colposuspension and anterior colpoperineorrhaphy in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and cystocele, respectively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 36 female patients with a mean follow-up of 53 months. Mean patient age at time of surgery was 57.3 +/- 9.6 years (range 37-76). All patients were submitted to urodynamic investigation. Anterior colpoperineorrhaphy was performed in 18 cases (13 with cystocele, one with SUI and four with both). Burch colposuspension was performed in 14 cases (six with SUI and eight with both cystocele and SUI). The association of the two surgical procedures was used in four cases with both cystocele and SUI. RESULTS: Satisfactory results, such as disappearance of SUI with Burch colposuspension and cystocele with colpoperineorrhaphy, were obtained in the 88.8% and 85.8% of the cases, respectively. These results are even more excellent considering that 22.5% of the patients failed previous surgery. We observed no significant complications. CONCLUSIONS: The high percentage of long-term success confirms that anterior colpoperineorrhaphy and Burch colposuspension are two effective therapeutic choices for cystocele and SUI, respectively. The new mini-invasive techniques have to be compare with these traditional surgical treatments which efficacy is consolidated.     

Is an indwelling catheter necessary for bladder drainage after modified Burch colposuspension?

Catheterization is considered to be a mandatory procedure for adequate bladder drainage following an anti-incontinence operation until the recovery of normal voiding function occurs. We conducted this prospective study to challenge this practice. A total of 86 patients with genuine stress incontinence who underwent a modified Burch coplosuspension were randomized into two groups based on the day of operation. The study group consisted of 42 patients who had the transurethral Foley catheter removed postoperatively the next morning (Group A). The control group was composed of 43 patients who had the transurethral indwelling catheter left in place until the fifth postoperative day (Group B). The percentages of immediate voiding difficulties in Groups A and B were 7.1% and 0%, respectively (P >0.05). The postoperative urinary tract infection rates of Groups A and B were 16.6% and 23.3%, respectively (P >0.05). The success rates of our patients were not compromised after our modified operative procedures (78.6% with dry results and 19.0% with improved symptoms in Group A vs. 74.4% with dry results and 20.9% with improved symptoms in Group B, P >0.05). Our results imply that it is not necessary that an indwelling catheter, for bladder drainage, be left in place until the fifth postoperative day to prevent immediate voiding difficulties. Editorial Comment: The authors have performed a prospective randomized clinical trial of two different bladder management schemes involving a urethral catheter following a modified Burch colposuspension. Group A began their voiding trial on Day 1, Group B began their voiding trial on Day 5 after a 2-day clamped catheter bladder training program. Patients were not discharged until they had normal residuals (<100 ml). There were low, not statistically different, rates of immediate voiding difficulty in either group (7.1% vs. 0%) and therefore the only significant difference between the two groups was the length of hospitalization (5.3 days for Group A and 7.4 days for Group B). They conclude that it is not necessary for a urethral catheter to be left in for 5 days. Very few urogynecologists would disagree with this conclusion. The authors should be commended for performing a prospective randomized study of voiding trials. However, the relevance of this study to clinical practice is extremely limited since most urogynecologists do not perform urethral catheter clamping bladder training programs, nor wait 5 days to start a voiding trial     

Biomechanics of Urinary Stress Incontinence Surgery – Theory of the Non-Permanently Acting Suburethral Supportive Structure

This biochemical study of the lower urinary tract as it relates to urinary continence and incontinence is based on the morphotopographic results of radiological, autopsy and surgical investigations in the period 1966–1968. The process of urinary continence is simply explained by the application of universal hydromechanical laws, which demonstrated that continence during straining results from compression of the urethra over a suburethral resistant structure. Compression occurs during dorsocaudal physiologic displacement of the urethrovesical complex in conditions of increased intra-abdominal pressure. The theory of a non-permanently acting suburethral support is based on these results and represents the essential principle of urinary stress incontinence surgery, namely, that surgery should create a suburethral resistance over which the proximal urethra is compressed during increased intra-abdominal pressure.  Such suburethral resistance may be created via the vaginal or the abdominal routes, using autogenous or heterogeneous tissue. A critical analysis of different surgical techniques and how they achieve the demands of this theory is presented. In this context two orginal surgical procedures incorporating the best biomechanical features are elaborated: slinglike colposuspension via the abdominal route, and suburethral duplication of the anterior vaginal wall by the vaginal route. The aim of this paper is to present the biomechanical study of urethrovesical phenomena playing a role in urinary continence and the pathogenesis and surgery of stress incontinence in light of our theory. Our personal experience with 1836 surgical procedures between 1968 and the end of 1997, encompassing 1056 slinglike colposuspensions and 780 suburethral duplications of the vagina, gives practical support to our concepts.     

Clinical Outcome or Abdominal Urethropexy–Colposuspension: A Long-Term Follow-up

The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term results of abdominal urethropexy–colposuspension in terms of cure rate of stress urinary incontinence, complications and side effects. Between 1985 and 1992, 169 women between 27 and 79 years old underwent abdominal urethropexy–colposuspension at Stockholm So¨der Hospital. In 1997 they were invited to participate in a long-term follow-up study, 5–11 years after the operation. One hundred and thirty-one women (78%) were willing to attend for a clinical review; 38 were lost to follow-up. At the follow-up visit all women were assessed with medical history, symptoms of incontinence, and their satisfaction and problems after the operation, following a predefined protocol. Peri- and postoperative data were retrieved from the files. The patients underwent a gynecological examination, measurement of residual urine volume and a provocative leakage test. One hundred and nine women (83%) were satisfied with the results of the operation and 22 (17%) were not. Seventy-one (54%) were subjectively completely dry, 48 (35%) had a little leakage and 14 (11%) had frequent leakage; 122 women were continent in the provocation test, and only 9 (7%) demonstrated leakage. The cure rate for stress incontinence was 93%. According to their medical histories 63 (48%) women had mixed incontinence before their operation. At the follow-up examination 43 of these 63 women still had symptoms of urgency. Twenty-six women with genuine stress incontinence before the operation had developed urgency or urge incontinence during the follow-up period. Urge symptoms before operation was a negative prognostic factor for a good outcome in terms of subjective cure of incontinence, but had no impact on objective cure rate or satisfaction of the operation. The cure rate for stress incontinence was high but still there were women who were not satisfied with the operation. Most of these complained of urge incontinence. There were few serious complications. The objective cure rate was better than the subjective cure rate.     

Comparison of tension-free vaginal taping versus modified Burch colposuspension on urethral obstruction: a randomized controlled trial.

AIMS: To determine whether the tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure affects the mechanics of voiding in women with genuine stress incontinence (GSI). METHODS: Between July of 1997 and July of 1999, 116 women with GSI in the absence of pelvic prolapse underwent a randomized controlled study of TVT vs. modified Burch colposuspension. The trial was conducted by using a standardized protocol, including strict criteria for excluding preexisting bladder outlet obstruction (BOO). Urodynamic studies including free flowmetry, filling (provocative) and voiding cystometry, and 1-hour pad test were performed before and at least 1 year after the operation. The Blaivas and Groutz nomogram was used as another criteria to assess the pre- and postoperative BOO. RESULTS: Eighteen women were excluded from the study as a result of having preexisting BOO and an additional 8 were lost to follow-up. The comparison between pre- and postoperative variables for each procedure revealed that maximal flow rate of noninvasive uroflowmetry was significantly lower after operation in both groups (P = 0.009, P = 0.010, respectively). Detrusor pressure at maximal flow and urethral resistance were significantly higher and micturition volumes significantly lower after operation in the Burch group (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P = 0.029, respectively). The difference between pre- and postoperative distribution of the obstruction nomogram of the Burch group was significantly different (P = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: Based on strict exclusion criteria for preoperative BOO, our findings strongly suggest that with a median 22 months (range, 12 to 36 months) of follow-up, a properly performed tension-free vaginal tape procedure does not cause urethral obstruction.