Specific Tips for General Controversies in Sacral Neuromodulation

The field of Sacral Neuromodulation is continually evolving and still in its infancy. Common dilemmas experienced with this therapy will be discussed in this article, including ways to avoid and manage them. The focus will be on test evaluations performed with either peripheral nerve evaluation (PNE) or staged procedure, the clinical effectiveness and safety of unilateral versus bilateral test stimulation for both the PNE and staged procedures, and best methods to determine the success of the trial phase. We will also discuss how to deal with the problem of declining efficacy of the device over time. The article presents a discussion on future technological innovations to enhance techniques and mode of positioning and use of leads, which along with a refined understanding of how neuromodulation is effective for different problems, will lead to better outcomes.