Updates in the management of the overactive bladder in patients with myelomeningocele

Overactive bladder secondary to myelomeningocele provides a unique management problem to the health care provider. A randomized prospective trial has called into question the standard postnatal treatment closure of myelomeningocele, with antenatal closure acting as an acceptable alternative, although caution for maternal and fetal risks must be further delineated. While traditional techniques such as the Mitrofanoff procedure have become standard of care in allowing patient independence from care providers, modifications of the technique in addition to assimilation of minimally invasive approaches have further improved quality-of-life measurements for this patient population. Intravesical botulinum-toxin injection therapy has provided acceptable outcomes, albeit transiently, in terms of improving bladder compliance and decreasing bladder pressures. Bladder neck revision, both endoscopically and surgically, have shown promise with minimal upper tract deterioration. Nerve rerouting for neurogenic bladder is a novel, albeit unproven, approach, its use remaining experimental at this point. Utilization of the multitude of emerging techniques will serve to optimize treatment in this otherwise complicated patient population, although consideration of the long-term consequence of each therapy has yet to be elucidated.