Functional electrical stimulation for detrusor instability

The clinical efficacy of functional electrical stimulation (FES) for female detrusor instability (DI) is reviewed. Various types of FES methods (including anogenital long-term stimulation, short-term maximal stimulation, implantable stimulation and transcutaneous stimulation) have been reported. The therapeutic effects of these approaches were similar: the percentage of patients improved has been reported to be in the range 50%-90%. FES for female DI is a non-destructive procedure with a curative effect and very few side effects. This curative effect (re-education) is a major benefit of FES.