CORRECTION OF STRESS URINARY-INCONTINENCE - LAPAROSCOPY COMBINED WITHVAGINAL SUTURING

The authors review the published techniques of laparoscopic colposuspe nsion combined with vaginal suturing. Particular emphasis is given to their own technique, first published in 1992, and to that of Harewood (1993), which is similar. Both involve a Burch-like colposuspension us ing a technique similar to that of Gittes and Loughlin. This is possib le looking inside the pelvis through a laparoscope and using a handle- needle. Published results are similar (about 70% success rate), but th e authors point out that the Breda technique is simpler, cheaper, and less time consuming (only one trocar instead of three) and has had a l onger follow-up (up to 3 years instead of 19 months). The authors revi ew many other similar techniques reported between 1993 and 1995 with g ood results but based on rather limited experience. The conclusion is that the laparoscopic technique with vaginal suturing seems a promisin g way to approach stress urinary incontinence in the female patient.