Prophylactic Burch colposuspension at the time of abdominal sacrocolpopexy: a survey of current practice patterns

Introduction The purpose of this study was to determine the utilization of the prophylactic Burch procedure with abdominal sacrocolpopexy since the publication of the Colpopexy and Urinary Reduction Efforts (CARE) trial. Methods Using an Internet survey, 1,134 members of the American Urogynecological Society (AUGS) were contacted in May 2008 and questioned regarding their practice patterns to prevent de novo stress incontinence after sacrocolpopexy. Results Two hundred sixty-six responses were obtained for a 23% response rate. Of the 235 respondents actively performing sacrocolpopexies, 133 (57%) would not perform a prophylactic Burch colposuspension at the time of sacrocolpopexy in a woman without symptoms of stress urinary incontinence. Respondents were more likely to perform a prophylactic Burch if it had been more than 6 years since they completed residency or fellowship training. Conclusions Prophylactic Burch colposuspension at the time of abdominal sacrocolpopexy has not been uniformly implemented into clinical practice by AUGS members since the publication of the CARE Trial.