Suspension procedures

Suspension procedures provide support for the urethra or bladder neck by lifting tissues around the urethra toward structures in the pelvis.

The most common method is the Burch procedure. The surgeon attaches one end of surgical threads to the outer wall of the vagina and the other end to ligaments near the top of the pelvic bone. The stitches (sutures) essentially suspend the vagina to the pelvic ligament. When the sutures are tightened, the vagina is shifted up to support the bladder neck from below.

Suspension procedures are performed through an incision in the lower abdomen or through several small incisions (laparoscopic surgery). With a laparoscopic procedure, the surgeon uses a video camera and tiny instruments attached to tubes. This usually results in a shorter recovery period, but laparoscopic surgery may not be as effective as an open procedure.