OUTCOME OF BURCH COLPOSUSPENSION IN A DISTRICT GENERAL HOSPITAL

SUMMARY Genuine stress incontinence is a problem affecting women of all ages. There are several conservative means of alleviating the condition, but surgical intervention is an alternative when these fail. The Burch colposuspension has become a popular choice of procedure. In this report of 61 patients in a district general hospital, the success rate was high (84%, which compares favourably with the literature). There was a high rate of complications (55%), some of which have not commonly been reported. Burch colposuspension is a good operation for stress incontinence, although patients should be counselled about possible postoperative difficulties.