Retropubic urethropexy (RPUP): A 15-year review of perioperative complications

Abstract

The morbidity of two operations used to treat genuine stress urinary incontinence was evaluated. The data of 115 patients who underwent primary incontinence surgery with a Burch or Pereyra (RPUP) procedure between January 1978 and August 1992 were analyzed and information regarding complications was accrued. Patients were divided into four groups of 50: group I, Burch alone; group II, Pereyra alone; group III, Burch with concomitant operations; and group IV, Pereyra with concomitant operations. In group I (n=7) no patient had intra- or immediate postoperative complications; 1 patient had a late complication. In group II (n=14): 1 patient (7%) had an intraoperative complication, 4 (28%) experienced immediate and 4 (28%) late postoperative complications. Of group III, (n=26) 7 patients (27%) had intraoperative, 9 (35%) immediate and 2 (8%) late postoperative complications. In group IV (n=68) 12 patients (18%) had intraoperative, 17 (25%) immediate, and 22 (31%) late postoperative complications. Patients undergoing a Pereyra and a concomitant procedure had significantly more late postoperative complications than did similar patients who underwent a Burch procedure (P<0.03). It was concluded that RPUPs have varying degrees of associated morbidity. No significant difference was noted in intraoperative complications rates between the four groups, though postoperative complication rates varied significantly.