OBJECTIVE To assess the long-term results of the Stamey vesicourethral suspension for stress urinary incontinence. METHODS A total of 72 case records of women who underwent the Stamey procedure in the years 1985-1991 was reviewed. Every patient had a full preoperative evaluation including filling cystometry, urethral pressure profilometry and imaging of the kidneys and bladder. The long-term subjective results were determined by a telephone interview with the patients, utilizing a standard questionnaire. A successful result was defined as no need for pads under any circumstances. Every patient who reported on persistent or recurrent incontinence was requested to return for reevaluation in the urology clinic. RESULTS The long-term success rate of the Stamey procedure in 63 evaluable patients was 69.8% (mean follow-up: 90 months). In 19 women, the operation had failed. About 80% of the failures were evident within 2 years after surgery. The long-term success rate of surgery in 28 women with pure stress incontinence was 93%. When mild irritative symptoms were present before surgery (29 patients) the subjective success rate was 65.5%, and in 6 patients with severe urge symptoms the success rate was only 33%. The difference between these groups was highly significant (p = 0.003). No correlation was found between the age of the patient at surgery, the number of children delivered by the patient, the grade of stress incontinence, the duration of symptoms before surgery or a history of a previous operation for stress incontinence and the success rate of the operation. CONCLUSIONS The Stamey vesicourethral suspension is characterized by a relatively high and long-standing success rate. This procedure has an important place in the treatment of women with urinary stress incontinence.