Comparative outcome analysis of laparoscopic colposuspension, abdominal colposuspension and vaginal needle suspension for female urinary incontinence

PURPOSE: The long-term surgical outcome of abdominal colposuspension, laparoscopic colposuspension and vaginal needle suspension for managing anatomical stress urinary incontinence in women was evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three nonrandomized contemporaneous groups of 10 women each with anatomical stress urinary incontinence were treated with abdominal colposuspension, laparoscopic colposuspension or vaginal needle suspension. Immediate postoperative and subsequent outcomes were evaluated using a 10-point questionnaire annually up to 36 months. RESULTS: Immediately after surgery the laparoscopic colposuspension group required less analgesia as well as briefer catheterization and hospital stay. Continence rates 10 months postoperatively were 100% for the abdominal colposuspension group, 90% for the laparoscopic colposuspension group and 100% for the vaginal needle suspension group. At 36 months postoperatively these results had declined to 50, 40 and 20%, and satisfaction with surgical outcome was 60, 90 and 60%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Despite initially high success rates of these 3 surgical procedures based on the principle of retropubic suspension of the proximal portion of the urethra, responses to questionnaires given at longer postoperative intervals showed a sharp decline in success. We probably should redirect our treatment strategy for women with anatomical stress incontinence to include urethral coaptation and direct suburethral suspension.