Controlled balloon dilatation for laparoscopic extraperitoneal bladder neck suspension in patients with previous abdominal surgery

Purpose: The balloon dilator is used in a variety of minimally invasive pre peritoneal and retroperitoneal operations. In this study, we compared the a bility to create an extraperitoneal cavity using a balloon spacer in patien ts with and without previous abdominal surgery undergoing laparoscopic blad der neck suspension. Patients and Methods: This prospective study included 38 patients in total, 15 of whom had had previous abdominal wall surgery and 23 who had not. A b alloon spacer technique was used to develop the extraperitoneal space. Results: In 80% of the patients with previous surgery, the introduction of the balloon spacer was recorded as simple; in 20%, it was considered diffic ult. In 78% of the patients without previous surgery, the introduction of t he balloon spacer was recorded as simple, in 17% it was difficult, and in 4 % it failed. In 80% of the patients with previous surgery, the extraperiton eal view was good or acceptable, in 20% it was poor, and in 13% it failed. In 92% of the patients without previous surgery, the extraperitoneal view w as good or acceptable, in 4% it was poor, and in 4% dilatation failed. Morb idity was equally divided between the groups. Conclusions: Previous abdominal surgery is not a contraindication to laparo scopic extraperitoneal surgery using a balloon spacer. The approach carries low morbidity, similar to that in patients without previous abdominal surg ery.