Sacral nerve stimulation for treatment of refractory urinary retention: long-term efficacy and durability

To examine the long-term efficacy and durability of sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) for the treatment of refractory, nonobstructive urinary retention.

A retrospective study of all patients who underwent SNS with the InterStim device for refractory, nonobstructive urinary retention was performed. All patients had their history taken, underwent physical examination and urodynamic study, and completed a voiding diary before treatment with staged SNS. Patients with greater than 50% improvement in symptoms underwent implantable program device placement. Patients were followed up for evidence of postoperative complications, device failure, and treatment efficacy. Statistical analyses were performed.

From June 1, 2000 to February 1, 2007, 40 patients were treated with SNS for refractory, nonobstructive urinary retention. Of the 40 patients, 29 had complete urinary retention (using clean intermittent catheterization), and 11 demonstrated incomplete retention (elevated postvoid residual urine volume). Of the 40 patients, 28 (70%) demonstrated greater than 50% improvement in symptoms and underwent implantable program device placement. At a mean follow-up of 40.03 +/- 19.61 months, 24 (85.7%) of 28 patients demonstrated sustained improvement of greater than 50%. Of the 28 patients, 4 (14.3%) had their InterStim device removed and 6 (21.4%) required revision. Among those with complete retention, significant improvement occurred in the number of catheterizations/day and the volume/catheterization (P <0.001). Among those with incomplete retention, significant improvement occurred in the postvoid residual urine volume (P <0.001).

At a mean follow-up of 40 months, 85.7% of patients with refractory, nonobstructive urinary retention demonstrated greater than 50% improvement in symptoms with SNS. For 911 patients, a statistically significant improvement in voiding parameters resulted.