THE LAPAROSCOPIC BURCH PROCEDURE - AVOIDING COMPLICATIONS

Urinary stress incontinence affects approximately 29% of adult women. The primary cause of genuine stress incontinence is loss of support of the urethrovesical junction. The Burch procedure is the most effectiv e technique for correcting the urethrovesical angle and resolving genu ine stress incontinence. The performance of this procedure in the clas sic open manner is associated with complications of infection, haemorr hage and voiding dysfunction. Substitution of a laparoscopic approach to the space of Retzius results in less blood loss, fever, infections, and a decreased incidence of voiding dysfunction with improved result s.