Stress urinary incontinence may be treated by different techniques. This study is based on a retrospective analysis of 59 patients treated between 1985 and 1993, by the Goebell-Stoeckel technique. 48 patients were questionned by phone in March 1995 to estimate the long term results. Two groups were defined; group A: follow-up between 15-60 months and group B: follow-up between 72-120 months (Total average follow-up: 68 months). The majority of patients were elderly, menopaused (88%) and had had one or more surgical procedure for incontinence (60%). Among 59 patients, 8 developped minor early complications. The mean length of hospital stay was 14 days and the mean duration of indwelling catheterization was 6.5 days. 60% of patients have had urinary retention after catheter ablation and have required intermittent catheterization at home for a mean duration of 14 days. Continence was achieved in 84% of cases at 3 months and had persisted in 96% of cases for group A and 91.5% of cases for group B. With a mean follow-up of 68 months, 37.5% of cases had irritative symptoms, 12.5% had minor urethral obstruction. 52% of patients obtained a very excellent result (normal continence, no urgency, no dysuria), 9% obtained an excellent result (normal continence, urgency with no leaked, and/or minor dysuria); 12 obtained a moderate result (normal continence, urgency with minor leakage without toilet set, and/or minor dysuria) and 27% obtained a poor result (incontinence, urgency with leakage necessitating toilet set, and/or dysuria).