Refractory bladder dysfunction: A multi-institutional experience with intravesical botulinum toxin-a injection in...

Augmentation cystoplasty is a treatment option for neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction as well as severe, refractory, complicated idiopathic overactive bladder. In some patients, symptoms may persist or recur postoperatively, and there is little guidance on management in this setting. In this study, we reviewed the use of intravesical onabotulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) in patients who had undergone augmentation cystoplasty.

Retrospective chart review was performed at two institutions, identifying patients who underwent augmentation cystoplasty and were subsequently treated with intravesical BTX-A. Demographics, and preoperative and postoperative findings were collected.

In total, 21 (16 female, 5 male) patients (mean age: 37.2 years) with previous augmentation cystoplasty were identified. In 17 patients with urodynamic data, mean maximum cystometric capacity was 312 mL, and decreased compliance and detrusor overactivity were noted in 53% and 48% patients, respectively. Combined intradetrusor/intra-augment injections were performed in 11 patients, and the remaining 10 patients received detrusor-only injections. A total of 18 patients (86%) reported subjective improvement with no significant difference associated with site of injection (p=0.59). A total of 17 patients (77%) underwent repeat injections; on average, patients underwent 3.3 injections with interval of 8.8 months between injections.

BTX-A injection was shown to subjectively improve storage symptoms and continence after augmentation cystoplasty in the majority of patients. In this cohort, patients had good subjective response regardless of site of injection, and most patients benefited from repeat injections. Prospective studies are needed to better evaluate the efficacy and ideal sites of BTX-A injection in the setting of refractory voiding dysfunction following augmentation cystoplasty.