[Balloon dissection of the cavum retzii--an innovative preparatory technique for endoscopic, extraperitoneal Burch colposuspension-plasty].

Colposuspension is known as "Gold Standard" in incontinence surgery; however, a variety of different techniques exist for performing this measure. Minimal invasive surgery offers new treatment possibilities. Besides the intraperitoneal approach, there is also an extraperitoneal technique for the Burch procedure. We describe an innovative technique, namely, balloon dissection, which is well known in endoscopic hernioplasty for an atraumatic approach to the cavum retzii. This technique that was used in six patients with urinary stress incontinence has the following advantages: minimal blood loss, better visualisation of the operative field, and a shortened hospital stay and recovery period than with abdominal colposuspension.