Evolving types of pudendal neuromodulation for lower urinary tract dysfunction

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Neuromodulation
• Pelvic Health

Background:

• Existing treatments for lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) and overactive bladder, such as sacral neuromodulation and posterior tibial nerve stimulation, offer reliable results.
• There is an ongoing need for more patient-friendly therapeutic options in managing LUTD.
• Pudendal neuromodulation (PNM) has emerged as a potentially valuable alternative treatment over the past few decades.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current state of the art of pudendal neuromodulation (PNM).
• To assess the efficacy and safety of various PNM techniques for LUTD.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was performed using Medline (PubMed) and Scopus (Elsevier).
• A critical review of studies on PNM was conducted.
• Various PNM approaches were examined, including percutaneous PNM, transrectal/transvaginal PNM, and dorsal genital nerve stimulation.

Main Results:

• Different PNM techniques demonstrated promising improvements in various clinical outcomes.
• Some studies reported superior results with PNM compared to sacral neuromodulation.
• PNM techniques were found to be safe and effective in multiple studies.

Conclusions:

• Pudendal neuromodulation (PNM) is a highly promising treatment for LUTD and overactive bladder, potentially expanding current therapeutic options.
• PNM, in its various forms, offers a viable alternative for patients with LUTD.
• Further research is essential to establish PNM's role in clinical treatment algorithms.