Surgical treatment of urinary stress incontinence in women

32 women with genuine stress urinary incontinence were operated on via the transvaginal approach during 1989-1990. They ranged in age from 27-72 years, with a mean of 55.7. In 26, in addition to the urine leakage, vaginal wall prolapse of various degrees was diagnosed. 6 underwent Raz modified Pereyra bladder neck suspension, 26 had Raz 4-corner bladder and bladder neck suspension, and in 17 rectocele and perineal repair were also performed. 2 with uterine prolapse also underwent vaginal hysterectomy. At follow-up 2-12 months later 29 of the 32 were completely cured of stress incontinence (90.6%). In 7 urge incontinence persisted in various degrees, and 3 had developed urge incontinence de novo. All but 1 of them responded favorably to anticholinergic medication. There were postoperative complications in 5 (15.6%), including wound infection that required removal of Prolene sutures in 2, urethrovaginal fistula requiring reoperation in 1, perioperative myocardial infarction in 1, and in 1 voiding dysfunction initially treated with self-intermittent catheterization, but later cured by removal of a pair of Prolene sutures.