Laparoscopic TOT-like Burch Colposuspension: Back to the Future?

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate a modification of the classic Burch procedure, called "laparoscopic transobturator tape (TOT)-like Burch colposuspension." The technique does not involve any type of prosthesis placement, and it is an alternative for patients with stress urinary incontinence in a future without meshes. Describing and standardizing the procedure in different steps makes the surgery reproducible for gynecologists and safe for the patients. DESIGN: Step-by-step educational video, underlining and focusing on the main anatomical landmarks. SETTING: A university tertiary care hospital. INTERVENTIONS: The patient is set under general anesthesia and in lithotomy position. The distinct steps of the procedure are performed as followed: Step 1: Installation. Two 10-mm trocars are positioned in the midline and 2 5-mm trocars in the suprapubic region. The recommended intra-abdominal pressure is 6 to 8 mm Hg, and excessive Trendelenburg is not needed. Step 2: Entry in the Retzius space. The median umbilical ligament and the vesicoumbilical fascia are transected. Step 3: Exposure of the Retzius space and the anatomical structures. The dissection is continued consecutively toward the pubic bone and the Cooper's ligament, laterally toward the external iliac vessels and the corona mortis and medially toward the bladder neck. Step 4: Vaginal dissection. The pubocervical is dissected at the level of the pubourethral ligaments. Step 5: Suspension of the vagina to the Cooper's ligament. In contrast to the standard technique, with the TOT-like Burch, the sutures on the pubocervical fascia are placed at the level of the attachment of the arcus tendinous fascia pelvis and the pubourethral ligament. This way of suspension ensures a lateral traction on the bladder neck, resembling the effect of the TOT, which leads to lower incidence of dysuric symptoms. Step 6: Peritoneal closure. CONCLUSION: The classic colposuspension was created in 1961 for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence prolapse [1]. In the following years, vaginal meshes gained popularity as a treatment option for prolapse and for incontinence owing to their ease of use and satisfying results, which led to a decreased use of the Burch procedure [2,3]. In 2019, the Food and Drug Administration forbid the production of the transvaginal meshes for prolapse [4], an interdiction that could influence the use of synthetic meshes for incontinence in the future [5]. Owing to these recent events, searching for an effective way of management for patients with stress urinary incontinence without any synthetic prostheses, gynecologists have turned back to the 60-year-old Burch colposuspension. One of the drawbacks of the original technique is the high incidence of voiding difficulties-up to 22% [6]. Owing to the knowledge of the exact course of traction with the TOT, in our modified technique, the lateral direction of the suspension provides a tension-free support on the urethra and the bladder neck. The laparoscopic TOT-like Burch colposuspension is a safe and effective treatment for patients with stress urinary incontinence with low rates of dysuric symptoms and represents a valuable alternative for gynecologists in a future without meshes.