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Abstract

A suturing needle asssembly used for the retropubic surgical correction of anatomical stress incontinence due to pelvic relaxation, the suturing needle assembly having an array of four needles inside a protective sheath. The sheath protects fragile tissues from inadvertent penetration by the four needles, each of which has an eyelet for capture of a surgical suture. The spacing of the four needles within the sheath allows for the precise positioning of two sutures (previously woven through a polypropylene 'bolster') underneath the endopelvic fascia at the junction of the bladder neck and urethra. According to a method of the present invention, the suturing needle assembly is positioned retropubically at the right side of the bladder neck and the needle points extruded from within the sheath, thus penetrating through the endopelvic fascia. Through a small vaginotomy, a previously fashioned flat bolster is positioned beneath the endopelvic fascia and the four needle points used to capture the two monofilament sutures passing through the bolster. Cephalad withdrawal of the instrument positions the four suture ends into the retropubic region for securing to Cooper's ligament. An identical procedure is done on the left side. As a result, anterior pelvic relaxation and stress urinary incontinence are corrected with a high degree of success.

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First Claim