Last updated: 11/24/2009

Needle bladder neck suspension surgery can be performed as open abdominal or vaginal surgery, or laproscopically, which allows for small incisions, video magnification of the operative field, and precise placement of sutures. Under a general anesthetic,...

the patient is placed in a position on her back with legs in stirrups allowing access to the suprapubic area. A Foley catheter is inserted into the bladder. The open procedure involves the passage of a needle from the suprapubic area to the vagina with multiple sutures through looping. Cytoscopic monitoring (using an endoscope passed into the urethra) prevents passage of the needle through the bladder or the urethra. The laproscopic method allows visualization of the needle pass made from the suprapubic area to the vagina and the looping technique. The vagina and the surrounding areas are thoroughly irrigated with an antibiotic solution throughout the procedure. The patient is discharged the same evening or the next morning with the catheter in place. She is kept on antibiotics and examined on the fourth day after surgery with the removal of the catheter. The follow-up examination includes wound inspection and a evaluation of residual urine. A pelvic examination is performed to check for bleeding or injury.