Burch Colposuspension

Preparations prior to surgery

1. Blood tests, electrocardiography (ECG) and chest X-ray may be done to ensure that you are in optimal health.
2. Your doctor may prescribe oral or vaginal oestrogen (hormone) if you are already menopausal. It important to comply with this medication as it ensures that your vaginal tissues are optimal for surgery and healing.
3. You will generally be admitted one day before your surgery.
4. You will be given preparations to clear your bowels and have the pubic area shaved.
5. You will not be allowed to eat or drink after midnight on the day before surgery.
6. All your medical and surgical conditions, if any, must be made known to the doctor and must be optimally controlled.
7. If you are on aspirin, please inform your doctor. You must stop taking aspirin at least a week before surgery.

In The Operating Theatre

The surgery may be done under regional anaesthesia (which involves the injection of a local anaesthetic medicine into the spine while you are awake) or general anaesthesia (where you will be asleep throughout the operation). The anaesthetist will discuss will you the advantages and disadvantages of both methods.

The operation involves a "bikini" line cut just below the pubic hairline. The surgery takes about 45 minutes to complete.

At the end of surgery, a tube will be inserted into the bladder through the abdominal wall (suprapubic catheter) or the urethra (urethral catheter). Another tube (drain) will also be inserted to drain blood from the site of surgery.