Stress Incontinence
Laparoscopic Burtch Procedure
An Effective New Treatment for Urinary Stress Incontinence - The Surgery of the Future Today!
Urinary Stress Incontinence is defined as the escape of small amounts
of urine during "stress" activity, such as laughing, coughing, sports, and the
like. Escape of urine during ‘stress' is due to weakness of pelvic support. This
weakness is often, but not always, associated with childbirth. A feeling of
"something falling out" or prolapse, may also be associated with leaking urine.
Urinary continence depends on strong bladder and pelvic support.
Urinary Stress Incontinence
Urinary Stress Incontinence is defined as the escape of small amounts of urine
during "stress" activity, such as laughing, coughing, sports, and the like.
Escape of urine during 'stress' is due to weakness of pelvic support. This weakness is
often, but not always, associated with childbirth. A feeling of "something falling
out" or prolapse, may also be associated with leaking urine. Urinary continence
depends on strong bladder and pelvic support.
What is Laparoscopy?
During laparoscopy, a laparoscope -- the surgical instrument -- is inserted through the
belly button. The laparoscope is a telescopic camera which provides visualization of the
abdomen. Surgery performed using a laparoscope usually requires three to four small,
quarter-inch incisions for insertion of additional surgical instruments. Whereas, one
large five-inch incision is required for the traditional operation to repair stress
incontinence.
The Burch Procedure - What is It?
During the Burch procedure, the lower bladder is supported by suturing the vagina
to the pelvic ligaments. This corrects the weakness so that during a 'stress' activity,
the bladder does not move down and allow urine to escape.
The Burch Procedure - Who Is a Candidate for It?
- Any woman who has frequent urinary leakage occurring with coughing, sneezing, laughing, sporting activities, and the like.
- Any woman who experiences recurrence due to failure of previous surgery to correct urinary stress incontinence.
- Women with "mixed" urinary incontinence, who will also require medication and exercise in addition to the Burch procedure.
Success
The laparoscopic Burch procedure offers the same high success rate as traditional
open-incision surgery. Because the laparoscopic version of the surgery has been performed
for only a few years, long-term results are not available yet. However, information
available shows that the success rate for the laparoscopic version at two years is
comparable to the 90% to 95% success rate for the open-incision procedure, which remains
even after five years' follow-up.
Benefits
Financial benefits of performing the Burch procedure laparoscopy are significant.
Normally, a stay of only one day in the hospital is required after the laparoscopic
procedure. This compares with five to seven days for the traditional surgery. The savings
in hospital costs alone are immense. Patients experience a faster return to work or normal
activity (one to two weeks) with laparoscopic surgery. Also, a reduced need for pain
medication is a plus.
Our Program
Our approach is multi-disciplinary and includes:
- Full evaluation with urodynamics
- Medical management
- Exercise treatment
- Biofeedback
- Laparoscopic Burch procedure for Urinary Incontinence
- Laparoscopic procedures for Prolapse repair, Vaginal suspension, Rectocele and Cystocele