The literature on the surgery of stress urinary incontinence from November 1989 to December 1990 is critically reviewed. This period was one of consolidation and assessment with surprisingly few reports of the management of complications and few reports of long-term follow-up. Retropubic procedures continue to be the mainstay of treatment in patients in whom a gynecologic abdominal procedure is indicated. For patients who do not require laparotomy, needle suspension procedures are increasingly used. The Raz procedure is frequently used for patients with type III incontinence. Possible complications of surgical treatment include ureteric ligation of kinking and the more serious penetration by suture of the bladder or bladder neck. The primary new technique being tested is the use of Gax collagen periurethral injection.