Retropubic suspension

Retropubic suspension surgery is used to treat urinary incontinence. It lifts the sagging bladder neck and urethra that have dropped abnormally low in the pelvic area. The doctor makes a cut (incision) in the belly wall to access the bladder and urethra. This surgery can be done by making one big incision (open surgery) or several small incisions (laparoscopic surgery).

Burch colposuspension is the most common procedure used for retropubic suspension. The vaginal wall is attached to a ligament (Cooper's ligament) next to the pubic bone.

Retropubic suspension is used to correct stress incontinence that is caused by sagging of the urethra and/or bladder neck.

Retropubic suspension works to relieve stress incontinence. Most women have fewer symptoms of stress incontinence after this surgery.

For stress incontinence, doctors have been doing Burch colposuspension surgeries longer than sling surgeries. Many studies have been done on the Burch colposuspension surgery. About 9 out of 10 women are cured ("dry") during the year after surgery. After 5 years, about 7 out of 10 women are still "dry."