The present study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of Kelly plication in preventing postoperative urinary stress incontinence in clinically continent patients undergoing surgery for genitourinary prolapse. Thirty clinically continent patients with grade-3 genitourinary prolapse were found to have a positive stress test with repositioning of the prolapse during preoperative urodynamic evaluation. In addition to the genitourinary prolapse repair, these patients underwent a Kelly plication as a preventive measure against possible development of postoperative urinary stress incontinence. Postoperative follow-up included a detailed urogynecologic questionnaire, pelvic examination, urine culture, Q-tip cotton swab test, and a full urodynamic evaluation. The mean duration of follow-up was 25.5 +/- 14.1 months. Fifteen (50%) patients developed subjective and objective postoperative stress incontinence. Eleven (37%) patients developed objective postoperative stress incontinence (proven by urodynamic evaluation) with no subjective complaints of stress incontinence. Prophylactic Kelly plication as performed by the method described does not appear to be effective in preventing postoperative urinary stress incontinence in clinically continent patients who undergo surgery for genitourinary prolapse.