THE LAPAROSCOPIC BURCH PROCEDURE - A PRELIMINARY-REPORT

Laparoscopic retropubic colposuspension (Burch procedure) is now being performed in our department as the treatment for genuine stress urina ry incontinence. This study presents the first eight cases. Our experi ence with the laparoscopic approach seems promising. The operative tec hnique has been developed, and the method provides better visualizatio n of the space of Retzius, the patients experienced minimal blood loss and a shorter hospital stay than with the laparotomy approach. Althou gh short follow-up, all the patients except one were continent after t hree months. This preliminary report demonstrates that laparoscopic Bu rch procedure may be a valuable addition to the new procedures in 'min imal invasive surgery'.