Neuromodulation for Restoration of Urinary and Bowel Control

Control of the lower urinary tract is a complex, multilevel process that involves the peripheral and central nervous systems. Patients with spinal cord diseases or injuries present with multiple bladder and bowel problems. The commonest are urinary, urgency, frequency, urge incontinence, retention and/or fecal incontinence. Though the first reports of neurostimulation to empty bladder came in 1970s', it was only in 1988 that Schmidt and Tanagho restarted discussion and application of neuromodulation and electrical stimulation of sacral nerve in urology. In April, 1999 - FDA approved the InterStim System for treatment of symptoms of urgency-frequency and urinary retention. In October 2000, Medtronic Commercial Release for SNS-Bowel was approved. In October 2002, the Tined lead was launched and N'Vision programmer was launched in the official market in Europe. SNM is now considered the third line of management in refractory cases of OAB, chronic NOUR, frequency and urgency. Role in neuropathic bladder is still being assessed. SNM includes a thorough preoperative assessment, PNE (Percutaneous Nerve Evaluation) without any muscle relaxation and finally installation of a permanent IPG after assessing reponse. We have an experience of over 20 patients in last 11 years. These include patients of refractory OAB, chronic NOUR and Cauda Equina Syndrome. We do a two-staged procedure in view of the high cost and abide by the AUA, EAU and ICS guidelines. Our long term results for neuropathic OAB are awaited.