Laparoscopic burch colposuspension in children: technical challenges and primary results

To present the primary results of laparoscopic, Burch-type colposuspension (LBC) in children. LBC was performed in eight children (mean age, 14 years) with urinary incontinence after failed extensive urotherapy program. In all patients, bladder neck (BN) incompetence was proven by clinical observation, perineal ultrasound (US), and video-urodynamic study (V-UDS). The LBC was performed with patients in the lithotomy position by means of three 5-mm ports. The anterior wall of the vagina, lateral to the BN, was mobilized, and the vaginal wall was bilaterally lifted and sutured to Cooper's ligament, resulting in elevation and fixation of the BN. A catheter was left for 4 days. The mean operation time was 101 minutes (range, 56-150 minutes), and the follow-up time was >6 months. The postoperative period was uneventful for all patients. Shortly after the procedure, 5 patients (62.5%) were dry, and 1 patient improved (12.5%). After 6 months, 3 patients (37.5%) were dry, and 2 (25%) improved. In 3 wet patients, control US and V-UDS focused on the BN revealed hypermobility and persistent flat vesicourethral angle (VUA) in 1 patient, hypermobility with a good restoration of the VUA in 1 patient, and good fixation with good restoration of the VUA in 1 patient. LBC is a challenging procedure in children because of the small operation field. This procedure can be considered to cure refractory stress urinary incontinence in children with BN insufficiency when noninvasive methods have failed.