[Sacral neuromodulation for bladder voiding dysfunction: Experience at a French university center]

To report the experience of a university hospital center with sacral neuromodulation for patients with bladder voiding disorders.

All patients who underwent sacral neuromodulation between 1998 and 2022 for bladder voiding disorders were included. Medical records were analyzed retrospectively, and population, efficacy and follow-up data were collected.

A total of 134 patients underwent test implantation and 122 patients were analyzed. 68 patients (56%) were implanted with a definitive neuromodulation device. Mean age was 43±16 years and BMI 25.5±5.4kg/m². 74% were women. Bladder voiding disorder was due to sphincter hypertonia in 51% of cases, with associated bladder hypocontractility in 29%. The spontaneous micturition rate after implantation increased from 34% to 92%. Implantation results appeared to be better in patients with sphincter hypertonia, whether or not associated with bladder hypocontractility. The benefit was most often present with a frequency of 5Hz (54.4%). Side-effects were present in 52% of cases at 5 years, and in 85% of cases were pain in relation to the implanted devices. They resolved under medical treatment or after revision of the device (27% of cases at 5 years).

SNM is effective in micturition recovery, but has side effects. Urodynamic mechanism and etiology may provide clues for modulating NMS box settings and determining predictive factors for NMS success. Data from other centers are needed to identify reliable predictive factors.