ObjectiveTo determine the frequency of lower urinary tract injury detected by routine intraoperative cystoscopy after anti-incontinence surgery.MethodsWe reviewed charts from women who had anti-incontinence surgery and routine intraoperative cystoscopy done by a single surgeon from June 1, 1995, to June 1, 1998, and assessed preoperative and intraoperative variables.ResultsWe reviewed 351 patient records. Four records were incomplete and there were nine injuries in the other 347 cases (2.6%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2, 4.9). Four cystotomies occurred during laparoscopic Burch procedures and were detected before cystoscopy. Five injuries were detected at cystoscopy, a rate of 1.5% (95% CI 0.5, 3.4). Four injuries occurred during 161 pubovaginal sling procedures (2.5%, 95% CI 0.7, 6.2). One woman had sutures in her bladder from a prior procedure detected at cystoscopy. In 186 Burch procedures (48 laparoscopic, 138 open), there were no previously unrecognized injuries detected by cystoscopy. All injuries were repaired during original surgery. It was not possible to assess preoperative and intraoperative risk factors because of the low rate of injury.ConclusionThe rate of injury to the lower urinary tract during anti-incontinence surgery in this series was 2.6% (95% CI 1.2, 4.9). Injuries during Burch procedures were all detected before cystoscopy.