Objective: To present our experience with the Burch procedure in the treatment of female urinary stress incontinence (USI) and the assessment of the causes of failure with this technique.
Material and methods: From January 1987 to june 1997 this technique was applied to 157 patients with USI. The mean age of these women was 54.2 years (30-76) and the mean follow-up was 50.24 months. Physical examination, urethral profile and the severity of the USI were not considered in the indication of the procedure.
Results: After three months, we had total continence or improvement in 80.7%. This rate decreased to 76% after one year. From the second year it was 70%, maintained to fifth year. Considering the severity of incontinence, in patients with mild-moderate grade, we obtained good outcomes after 5 years in 87%. If there was associated detrusor alterations, the rate decreased to 51.8%, and with a bad urethral profile, decreased to 42.4%.
Conclusions: The Burch procedure is useful in the treatment of USI but requires a good selection of the patients.