Wound review and SPC removal at 5–7 days; follow-up at 3 months for discharge if recovery and continence are satisfactory.
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Open Colposuspension (Burch procedure) is a surgical treatment for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in women, particularly when associated with urethral (bladder neck) hypermobility. The operation involves lifting and securing the anterior vaginal wall to the ligaments behind the pubic bone (Cooper’s ligaments), thereby supporting the bladder neck and proximal urethra to prevent leakage during physical activity, coughing, or sneezing.
This procedure is typically performed through a Pfannenstiel (lower abdominal) incision and remains a highly effective option, especially in patients with videourodynamic evidence of bladder neck descent who are unsuitable for synthetic mesh midurethral slings.
Both a urethral and suprapubic catheter are typically placed during surgery. The urethral catheter is removed within 24–48 hours, and the suprapubic catheter is removed after 5–7 days by the Urology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) in the outpatient clinic, once a post-void bladder scan confirms effective bladder emptying.
Most patients resume light activities within 2–3 weeks, with full recovery expected over 4–6 weeks. Post-operative care includes bladder monitoring, limiting heavy lifting, and pelvic floor rehabilitation where appropriate.
