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Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation: the Urgent PC device
1Rijnstate Hospital, Department of Urology, PO Box 9555, NL-6800 TA, Arnhem, The Netherlands. mvanbalken@alysis.nl
Expert Review of Medical Devices
|September 14, 2007
Summary
Overactive bladder treatments like percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) offer a minimally invasive option for improving quality of life. While effective for many, the need for ongoing maintenance therapy highlights the potential for future implantable devices.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Neurology
- Medical Devices
Background:
- Lower urinary tract disorders, particularly overactive bladder, significantly impair patient quality of life.
- Current treatment options range from conservative measures to invasive surgery, with a need for intermediate solutions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) as a neuromodulative treatment for lower urinary tract disorders.
- To explore the potential of implantable devices for future neuromodulative therapies.
Main Methods:
- PTNS involves minimally invasive, weekly 30-minute sessions of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation.
- Stimulation is delivered via a needle placed near the medial malleolus.
- A course of 12 weekly sessions is typically administered.
Main Results:
- PTNS demonstrates success in approximately two-thirds of patients treated.
- A significant drawback of PTNS is the requirement for ongoing maintenance therapy.
Conclusions:
- Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation is an effective, minimally invasive treatment option for overactive bladder.
- The need for maintenance therapy suggests that implantable neuromodulation devices represent a promising future direction.
