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Urinary incontinence - retropubic suspension - Risks

Alternative Names

Open retropubic colposuspension; Laparoscopic retropubic colposuspension; Needle suspension; Burch colposuspension

Risks:

Risks for any surgery are:

Incision infection or the incision opens up
Blood clots in the legs that may travel to the lungs
Breathing problems
Bleeding
Other infection

Risks for this surgery are:

Damage to the urethra, bladder, or vagina
It may be harder to empty your bladder. Or you may not be able to empty your bladder and need a catheter (tube that drains urine from your bladder).
Urine leakage may get worse
Irritable bladder, where you may feel the need to urinate more often
Fistula (or connection) between the vagina and the skin

Reviewed last on: 1/13/2009
Louis S. Liou, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Urology, Department of Surgery, Boston University School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Chapple CR. Retropubic suspension surgery for incontinence in women. In: Wein AJ, ed. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders; 2007:chap 65.

Takacs EB, Kobashi KC. Minimally invasive treatment of stress urinary incontinence and vaginal prolapse. Urol Clin North Am. 2007;35(3):467-476.

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