Surgical Methods for Urinary Incontinence

Tension-free Vaginal Tape (TVT)

This procedure is the least invasive procedure available to treat stress urinary incontinence for women.  The TVT supports the urethra by providing a sling or hammock of support which wraps around the urethra. Then, when a woman coughs or sneezes, the sling provides support under the urethra and urinary incontinence is cured or improved. About eighty-five percent of women who have this procedure will be cured and another ten percent will have significant improvement in their symptoms with long-term success. This procedure is usually done on an outpatient basis and recovery is quick.  Click Here for more information.

Laparoscopic Burch Procedure

Stress urinary incontinence occurs when the support for the bladder and urethra are weak or damaged. The Burch procedure supports the tissue on the sides of the urethra with permanent suture. This procedure is considered to be the Gold Standard for urinary incontinence procedures and will have a success rate of approximately eighty-five percent. The Burch procedure is most often done with an abdominal incision but can be done laparoscopically with similar results.

Laparoscopic Paravaginal Repair

When the support for the bladder is damaged the bladder drops creating a cystocele. The paravaginal repair will fix the tissue which supports the bladder. This procedure is most often performed with the Burch procedure which supports the urethra. This surgery can be performed laparoscopically.