Burch colposuspension for stress urinary incontinence: a 14-year prospective follow-up

We aimed to evaluate the long-term effectiveness and safety of Burch colposuspension (BC) for stress urinary incontinence (SUI). In this prospective cohort study, 84 patients with SUI undergoing BC were enrolled from February 2004 to January 2010. Data on long-term subjective success and postoperative complications were collected at clinic visits and by telephone follow-up. During a mean follow-up period of 14.2 years, 68% (57/84) patients completed the follow-up. A total of 68.4% of patients (39/57) reported absence of SUI symptoms, 73.6% (42/57) were subjectively satisfied according to the Patient Global Impression of Improvement, and 68.4% (39/57) reported subjective success regarding urinary symptoms via the Urinary Distress Inventory Short Form. However, 28.1% (16/57) suffered at least one long-term postoperative complication and incident. Specifically, 1 in 25 (4.0%) sexually active patients reported dyspareunia, 3 patients (5.3%) had de novo overactive bladder, and 6 patients (10.5%) reported voiding dysfunction. Four patients (7.0%) reported new onset prolapse symptoms, and 3 patients (5.3%) underwent secondary urinary incontinence surgery. Our study indicated that Burch colposuspension is an effective procedure for SUI, and the cure effect was largely maintained for the 14-year follow-up period, with relatively low complication rates. BC should be considered a surgical option for SUI.

The practice of Burch Colposuspension versus Mid Urethral Slings for the treatment of Stress Urinary Incontinence in developing country

OBJECTIVES

To compare the effectiveness and complications of Burch colposuspension and Mid Urethral Slings (MUS) for the treatment of Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI).

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study of 162 patients who underwent surgery for SUI with Burch colposuspension (n=40), tension free vaginal tape (TVT) (n= 59) or transobturator tape (TOT) (n=63), from 2006 to 2014 at the Aga Khan University Hospital- Karachi. All three groups were assessed in terms of demographics, cure rates, intraoperative and postoperative complications at one and five years using incontinence impact questionnaire-short form-7 (IIQ-7) and urogenital distress inventory -short form-6 (UDI-6).

RESULTS

Mean age of the participants in Burch, TVT and TOT group was 44.1 ± 7.4, 48.3 ± 8.9, 53.0 ± 9.4 respectively. Majority of patients in TVT group were premenopausal (59.3%) and postmenopausal in TOT group (53.9%). Most abdominal hysterectomies were done in Burch group (40) while vaginal hysterectomies and anterior and posterior colporrhaphy in TOT group (55). All the procedures had both subjective and objective cure rate of more than 82% at one year, with TVT having the highest success rate of 96.61%. The objective cure rate in Burch, TVT and TOT group at five years was 74.19%, 90.30% and 81.25% respectively. Intraoperative complications included hemorrhage in one patient during Burch procedure and bladder perforation in two cases of TVT, with no significant difference in short or long-term complications with either procedure.

CONCLUSIONS

All the three procedures have equal efficacy and complication rates. Even though TVT is the new gold standard but in view of current debate regarding mesh related complications, there is a need to readdress Burch colposuspension for treatment of SUI.

Impact of the availability of midurethral slings on treatment strategies for stress urinary incontinence: a cost-effectiveness analysis

OBJECTIVE

To perform a cost-effectiveness analysis for the surgical and non-surgical management of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) with and without the availability of midurethral sling.

DESIGN

Cost-effectiveness analysis.

SETTING

USA, 2019.

POPULATION

Women with stress urinary incontinence.

METHODS

We modelled SUI treatment pathways with and without the availability of midurethral slings, including no treatment, incontinence pessary, pelvic floor muscle physical therapy, urethral bulking injection, open and laparoscopic Burch colposuspension, and pubovaginal autologous sling. Time horizon was 2 years after initial treatment.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Costs (2019 US$) included index surgery, surgical retreatment, and complications including urinary retention, de novo urgency and mesh exposure. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was calculated for non-dominated treatment strategies.

RESULTS

The least costly treatment strategies were incontinence pessary, pelvic floor physical therapy, no treatment and midurethral sling, respectively. Midurethral slings had the highest effectiveness. The strategy with the lowest effectiveness was no treatment. The three cost-effective strategies included pessary, pelvic floor muscle physical therapy and midurethral slings. No other surgical options were cost-effective. If midurethral slings were not available, all other surgical options were still dominated by pelvic floor muscle physical therapy. Multiple one-way sensitivity analyses confirmed model robustness. The only reasonable threshold in which outcomes would change, was if urethral bulking costs decreased 12.6%.

CONCLUSIONS

The midurethral sling is the most effective SUI treatment and the only cost-effective surgical option.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

Midurethral sling is the only cost-effective surgical treatment option for stress urinary incontinence.

Current Overview of Surgical Options for Female Stress Urinary Incontinence

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a highly prevalent health condition that significantly impacts the quality of life. Traditional methods of treatment for SUI, such as pubovaginal sling and Burch colposuspension, have been replaced by the midurethral sling because of its high efficacy, low complication and morbidity rates, and short learning curve. Although multiple behavioral and operative treatments exist, midurethral slings are the gold standard for the treatment of SUI in women. However, several reports have raised concerns about complications caused by the synthetic mesh used in midurethral slings. Therefore, surgical treatment for SUI in women must be chosen with care, taking into account potential complications. Herein, we review the current safety issues pertaining to the use of meshes, the efficacy of traditional surgeries, old and new midurethral slings, and recent data comparing the efficacy and safety of different surgical options. This review is aimed at developing practical guidelines for choosing surgical options for women with SUI.

"Stalagnate in Bladder": Synechiae Post Anti-Incontinence Surgery in Women

Background: Anti-incontinence suspension procedures in women include Burch colposuspension or needle suspension procedures. Even though bladder injury is a known complication of any needle urethral or colposuspension procedure in women, it is rare. Delayed presentation may occur with lower urinary tract symptoms or hematuria. However, synechiae formations in bladder have rarely been reported. In this study, we report two cases presenting late with synechiae formation inside the bladder as a result of the suspension suture actually passing through the bladder and thus sewing the posterior and anterior walls of bladder together. Case Presentation: Two ladies presented late after Burch colposuspension with nonresolving urinary symptoms. Both these ladies demonstrated a "smiley bladder sign" caused by a filling defect on cystogram. Cystoscopy revealed a synechial pillar attaching the anterior and the posterior walls, reminiscent of stalagnate-like column in the bladder cavity in both cases. Both cases were managed endoscopically with laser incision avoiding injury to the ureteral orifices. Conclusion: A rare previously undescribed complication of Burch colposuspension and its typical appearance on cystogram is reported along with its endoscopic management. These cases highlight the use of intraoperative cystoscopy to prevent such complications.

Comparison of outcomes of Burch colposuspension and transobturator tape and single incision needleless procedures (DynaMesh®-SIS minor) for the surgical treatment of female stress urinary incontinence patients who underwent combined pelvic reconstructive surgery or hysterectomy

PURPOSE

Women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) often require combined pelvic reconstructive surgeries because of shared risk factors of pelvic organ prolapse. The purpose of this study was to evaluate efficacies of Burch colposuspension, transobturator tape (TOT), and single-incision needleless (DynaMesh^®-SIS minor) procedures in patients with SUI who also underwent combined pelvic reconstructive surgery or hysterectomy.

METHODS

We performed this retrospective cohort study that comprising 122 patients who either underwent Burch colposuspension (n:43), TOT (n:40), or SIS (n:39) procedures along with pelvic reconstructive surgery or hysterectomy between January 2010 and July 2018. During the clinical follow-up, we analyzed cure rates, and surgical success rates of SUI surgery, quality of life, and symptom severity by IIQ-7, UDI-6, SSI, SSQ-8, OAB-V8, and PGI-I scale scores. The primary outcome was surgical success, whereas secondary outcomes included complications and patient-reported outcomes in the quality of life.

RESULTS

We found that surgical success rates were higher in Burch group than SIS group and higher in TOT group than in SIS group (88.4% vs 61.5% and 87.5% vs 61.5%, p = 0.003). The quality of life was lower in SIS group than in Burch group.

CONCLUSIONS

Both Burch and TOT are effective procedures in patients with SUI who require additional pelvic surgeries. Although surgical outcomes of SIS procedure in patients with SUI who underwent concomitant pelvic surgeries in our study were not promising, further studies with SIS are needed to clarify these observations.

Survey on surgery for stress urinary incontinence in an era mid-urethral slings are being questioned

INTRODUCTION

Concerns about vaginal mesh have reduced the use of mid-urethral slings (MUS) in some countries. In view of their potential withdrawal in Belgium and The Netherlands, we polled urogynaecologists on their practice for treating stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and what their experience is with alternative procedures, and we asked them how their patients perceive the risk and success rates.

METHODS

A survey among members of the pelvic floor special interest group of the Flemish Society for Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Belgian Association of Urology and Dutch Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

RESULTS

Their primary procedure of choice is the MUS (99%). Sixty-five per cent performs at least 25 MUS yearly; they report high success (90%; IQR [85-92]) and low adverse outcome rates. Physicians anticipate complications as reported in the literature: 5% (IQR [410]) overactive bladder, 5% (IQR [2-10]) voiding problems, 2% (IQR [15]) exposures, 2% (IQR [1-5]) dyspareunia and 1% (IQR [1-3]) chronic pain. Eighty-five per cent of physicians report their patients express fears about having a MUS though usually they cannot precisely tell why. Reportedly they tell their physicians of concerns about pain (54%), exposure (45%), dyspareunia (25%), voiding problems (15%) or overactive bladder (8%). Only half of respondents had ever performed a colposuspension. The majority of these were older and performed colposuspension via laparotomy. Only six (4%) had performed > 20 colposuspensions yearly.

CONCLUSION

Dutch and Belgian urogynaecologists estimate success and adverse effect rates of MUS in line with the literature. Their patients most cited worries were fear of chronic pain and exposure. Only half of respondents had ever performed a colposuspension. They were older and performed the procedure via laparotomy.

Burch colposuspension

Aims

To evaluate the historic and pathophysiologic issues which led to the development of Burch colposuspension, to describe anatomic and technical aspects of the operation and to provide an update on current evidence.

Methods

We have performed a focused literature review and have searched the current available literature about historic dimension, technical descriptions, and efficacy of Burch colposuspension.

Results

Burch colposuspension, performed either by an open or a laparoscopic approach, is an effective surgical treatment for stress urinary incontinence.

Conclusions

In current recommendations, Burch colposuspension remains an option for secondary treatment. Because midurethral slings have recently become under scrutiny, it may return as a first‐line treatment procedure. Both open and laparoscopic Burch colposuspension should therefore nowadays be provided in fellowship programs worldwide.

Updated Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Comparative Data on Colposuspensions, Pubovaginal Slings, and Midurethral Tapes in the Surgical Treatment of Female Stress Urinary Incontinence

CONTEXT

Retropubic (RP-TVT) and transobturator miurethral (TO-TVT) midurethral sling (MUS) are popular surgical treatments for female stress urinary incontinence. The long-term efficacy and safety of the procedures is still a topic of intense clinical research and several randomised controlled trials (RCTs) have been published in the last years OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of MUS compared with other surgical treatments for female stress urinary incontinence.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature was performed using the Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science databases to update our previously published analyses.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Twenty-eight RCTs were identified. In total, the meta-analyses included 15 855 patients. Patients receiving MUS had significantly higher overall (odds ratio [OR]: 0.59, p=0.0003) and objective (OR: 0.51, p=0.001) cure rates than those receiving Burch colposuspension. Patients undergoing MUS and pubovaginal slings had similar cure rates. Patients treated with RT-TVT had higher subjective (OR: 0.83, p=0.03) and objective (OR: 0.82, p=0.01) cure rates than those receiving TO-TVT. However, the latter had a lower risk of intraoperative bladder or vaginal perforation (OR: 2.4, p=0.0002), pelvic haematoma (OR: 2.61, p=0.002), urinary tract infections (OR: 1.31, p=0.04) and voiding lower urinary tract symptoms (OR: 1.66, p=0.002). Sensitivity analyses limited to RCTs with follow-up durations >60 mo demonstrated similar outcomes for RP-TVT and TO-TVT. No significant differences in efficacy were identified comparing inside-to-out and outside-to-in TO-TVT but vaginal perforations were less common with the former (OR: 0.21, p=0.0002).

CONCLUSIONS

The present analysis confirms the superiority of MUS over Burch colposuspension. The studies comparing insertion of RT-TVT and TO-TVT showed higher subjective and objective cure rates for the RP-TVT but at the cost of higher risks of some complications and voiding lower urinary tract symptoms. Efficacy of inside-out and outside-in techniques of TO-TVT insertion was similar, although the risk of vaginal perforation was lower in the inside-to-out TO-TVT.

PATIENT SUMMARY

Retropubic and transobturator midurethral slings are a popular treatment for female stress urinary incontinence. The available literature suggest that those slings are either more effective or safer than other older surgical procedures. Retropubic tapes are followed with slightly higher continence rates as compared with the transobturator tapes but are associated with higher risk of intra- and postoperative complications.

Objective outcome and quality-of-life assessment in women with repeat incontinence surgery

AIMS

To evaluate subjective and objective outcome after repeat surgery for stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

METHODS

Patients who underwent a midurethral tape after failed Burch colposuspension or failed midurethal tape between 1999 and 2014 were invited for follow-up. Urogynecological examination and urodynamics was performed, and objective cure was defined as a negative cough stress test; subjective cure was defined as negotiation of SUI symptoms. Quality-of-life (QoL), sexual health, and subjective success was assessed with the King's Health Questionnaire, Incontinence Outcome Questionnaire, Female Sexual Function Index, and the Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) score.

RESULTS

Overall 52 women underwent repeat incontinence surgery. Out of the 44 women still alive, 33 (75%) were available for follow-up. All 33 women completed the questionnaires; 23 women (70%) attended the clinic and also had an urogynecological examination. At a median follow-up of 11 years, subjective cure was 67% (22/33), objective cure was 65% (16/23), and subjective success according to PGI-I was 78% (18/23), with no significant differences between groups. No erosions of suture or tape material into the bladder, urethra, or vagina were seen. Two women had received a third anti-incontinence operation with TVT after failed tape after failed Burch, and were continent at follow-up. Two women with tape after colposuspension required division of the tape and both were continent at the time of follow-up. With regard to QoL and sexual health, no significant differences were seen for most domains.

CONCLUSIONS

Midurethral tapes are an option for women with recurrent SUI after previous colposuspension or midurethral tape.

Laparoscopic Burch urethropexy at time of mesh sling removal: A cohort study evaluating functional outcomes and quality of life

AIM: To theorize that performing a laparoscopic Burch urethropexy at time of sling removal would significantly decrease subjective symptoms of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and improve patient satisfaction.

METHODS: Women who underwent a combined sling removal and laparoscopic Burch procedure between 2009 and 2014 were matched via age and sling-type in a 1:2 ratio to women who only underwent a sling removal. Those who underwent surgery within 6 mo of data collection were excluded from the study, as were women who underwent multi-stage surgery. Preoperative assessment for both groups included a focused clinical exam with or without functional testing and questionnaires including urogenital distress inventory-6 (UDI-6) and incontinence impact questionnaire-7 (IIQ-7) per the standard clinical practice. All non-exempt women were sent a questionnaire that included UDI-6 and IIQ-7 in addition to standard follow-up questions. Research staff contacted participants via email, mail, and telephone using the same questionnaire template and script. Data was analyzed by using χ² test for categorical data, and Student’s t test and Wilcoxon Rank Sum test for continuous data. The measure of effect was determined by logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS: A total of 48 women out of 146 selected patients were successfully recruited with n = 22 in the Burch cohort and n = 26 in the control cohort. The mean age was 54.7 ± 7.8 years and mean body mass index was 22.0 ± 13.9 kg/m². The majority of patients were Caucasian (73.3%), postmenopausal (91.1%), nonsmokers (57.9%), with a history of hysterectomy (81.4%). Six nineteen point six percent of women presented after at least 2 years from placement, which was significantly more common in the Burch cohort. Pain was the most common chief complaint (64.4%) in both groups at the time of initial presentation, and 78.9% of women reported concomitant urinary incontinence. There was no significant difference in pre-operative UDI-6 and IIQ-7 scores between the two cohorts. However, the change in UDI-6 score postoperatively was significantly improved in the Burch cohort with an average drop in score of 28.41 points compared to a decrease of 4.01 points in the control group (P = 0.02, 95%CI: 3.84 to 44.97). Although not statistically significant, the Burch cohort was 58% more likely to show an overall improvement in their score after surgery and 40% more likely to meet the minimal important difference of 11 points (RR = 1.58, 95%CI: 0.97 to 2.57; RR 1.40, 95%CI: 0.79 to 2.46). The difference in IIQ scores was nonsignificant. There was no significant difference in blood loss, complications, or postoperative pain or dyspareunia.

CONCLUSION: Performing a Burch urethropexy during sling removal does not increase complication rates and results in a significant change in validated symptom-related quality of life scores.

Can urethrolysis resolve outlet obstruction related symptoms after Burch colposuspension for stress urinary incontinence?

OBJECTIVE

Bladder outlet obstruction may occur after any incontinence surgery and may present as OAB, hesitancy and or the feeling of incomplete emptying. Aim of this study was to analyze the clinical and urodynamical outcome after urethrolysis in patients presenting with various clinical symptoms after Burch colposuspension for stress urinary incontinence.

STUDY DESIGN

Between January 2005 and December 2014, all patients who presented with symptoms and with bladder outlet obstruction were included. All patients had undergone Burch or Cowan colposuspension for stress urinary incontinence previously. Primary endpoint was the visual analogue scale (VAS) as measurement of patient perceived disease impact. Secondary endpoints were the various domains of the King's Health Questionnaire, urodynamic parameters as detrusor pressure at maximum flow, residual urine and sonographic bladder wall thickness before and six months after intervention.

RESULTS

Seventy-two female patients were included in this study whereof 42 suffered from urgency and urge incontinence, 20 from hesitancy and/or slow stream, seven from residual urine of more than 100ml and three from a combination of urgency and residual urine. VAS improved significantly (p<0.0001). Quality of life as determined by the King's Health Questionnaire improved for the domains general health, role limitations, emotions, physical limitations, personal limitations and incontinence impact significantly. Micturition pressure dropped significantly from 43cmH2O (95% CI 19-59cmH2O) to 18cmH2O (95% CI 16-23.5 H2O). Residual urine changed from 110ml (range 20-380ml) to 32ml (20-115ml). Bladder wall thickness decreased from 7mm (95% CI 6.235-7.152) to 5mm (95% CI 5.037-5.607; p<0.01).

CONCLUSION

Urethrolysis may resolve patients' symptoms and lower micturition pressure but irritative symptoms may persist.

A 5-year follow-up study comparing Burch colposuspension and transobturator tape for the surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effectiveness of transobturator tape (TOT) and Burch colposuspension in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

METHODS

The present retrospective study included 770 patients who underwent SUI surgery with Burch colposuspension (n=498) or TOT (n=272). Clinical follow-up occurred at 2 weeks, 3, 6, and 12 months, and annually thereafter. Objective and subjective cure rates and intra- and postoperative complications were assessed.

RESULTS

Among patients who had SUI surgery without another concomitant procedure, the Burch group had a significantly longer mean operation time (41.48 ± 10.61 minutes versus 23.77 ± 10.49 minutes; P<0.001) and a significantly longer length of hospital stay (3.11 ± 0.49 days versus 1.98 ± 0.40 days; P<0.001), compared with the TOT group. The rates of unintended functional outcomes were lower among women undergoing TOT than among those undergoing the Burch procedure (long-term voiding dysfunction 0.7% versus 4.2%, P=0.007; urinary retention 10.7% versus 26.9%, P<0.001). The 5-year cure rates were similar in the 2 groups (objective cure rate, 73.9% versus 77.5%, P=0.574; subjective cure rate, 76.8% versus 81.7%, P=0.416).

CONCLUSION

In terms of efficacy, TOT appears equal to Burch colposuspension; however, TOT has fewer unintended functional outcomes than Burch colposuspension.

Cystoscopic suture removal by Holmium-YAG laser after Burch procedure

Burch colposuspension remains one of the successful operations performed for stress incontinence. Accidental suturing of the bladder wall during the procedure or subsequent erosion may lead to lower urinary tract symptoms. Diagnosis and management of these sutures indicate precise evaluation for which a 70 degree cystoscope is used. In selected cases, Holmium-YAG laser may enable us to manage long-standing, encrustated neglected sutures. Here we would like to report successful removal of intravesical sutures using the Holmium-YAG laser.

Primary stress urinary incontinence: what to do and why

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is defined as the involuntary leakage of urine on effort, exertion, sneezing, or coughing. SUI is the most common cause of urinary incontinence in younger women and the second most common cause in older women. Surgery offers high cure rates and is considered by many to be the first-line therapy for uncomplicated SUI in women. Currently, a variety of surgical procedures are available to treat symptomatic SUI. This article reviews the process of choosing a primary surgical procedure for women with SUI.