Objective: To evaluate results 5 years after anterior colporrhaphy wit
h or without needle suspension of the bladder neck and after Burch col
posuspension. Methods: 186/291 women (64%) operated on between 1989 an
d 1990 underwent clinical and urodynamic reevaluation. Results: Object
ive continence rates after anterior colporrhaphy were 80% (20/25), 46%
(22/47) and 12.5% (1/8) in patients with first-, second- and third-de
gree stress incontinence according to Ingelman-Sundberg. Continence ra
tes in patients with second- and third-degree stress incontinence were
59% (29/49) after additional needle suspension and 86% (50/58) after
the Burch procedure. Conclusions: Anterior colporrhaphy can cure mild
stress incontinence but is not indicated for severe incontinence. The
Burch procedure provides the best continence rates in patients with se
vere stress incontinence.