Role of the four-corner bladder neck suspension to correct stress incontinence with a mild to moderate cystocele

Objectives. Women undergoing four-corner bladder neck suspension were evaluated for subjective and objective results of the procedure. Patients were evaluated for continence, prolapse, and symptomatic status postoperatively. Methods. Forty-seven women underwent four-corner bladder neck suspension for moderate cystocele with (44) or without (3) stress urinary incontinence. Mean and median follow-up were 37 months (range 15 to 80). To assess results of the four-corner bladder neck suspension, two sets of outcome measures were used (subjective questionnaire, including patient satisfaction, and objective physical examination, with standing voiding cystourethrogram) to compare pre- and postoperative data. Results. At the time of follow-up, 25 patients (53%) reported no incontinence, 14 (30%) reported one incontinent episode per week, and 8 (17%) reported daily loss of urine. Twenty-seven (57%) had grade I or grade II cystoceles on follow-up examination and voiding cystourethrogram; however, only 12 (26%) experienced recurrent prolapse symptomatology. Overall patient acceptance of the procedure was high (70%). Conclusions. The four-corner bladder neck suspension is an effective option in the management of moderate cystocele. Copyright 1997 by Elsevier Science Inc.