Sacral Neuromodulation Implant Infection: Risk Factors and Prevention

Device infection is one of the most common complications of sacral nerve stimulator placement and occurs in approximately 3-10% of cases. Infection is a serious complication, as it often requires complete explantation of the device. Not much is known regarding risk factors for and methods of preventing infection in sacral nerve stimulation. Multiple risk factors have been linked to device infection including prolonged percutaneous testing and choice of preoperative antibiotic. Methods of infection prevention have also been studied recently, including antibiotic-impregnated collage and type of skin preparation. This review will discuss the recent literature identifying risk factors and means of preventing infection in sacral nerve stimulation. Finally, we will outline a protocol we have enacted at our institution which has resulted in an incidence of infection of 1.6%.