Bladder distension in the management of detrusor instability

In a 10-year period, 15 patients were treated with bladder distension because of urinary symptoms associated with detrusor instability. All patients had failed to respond to previous drug therapy. Ten patients had previously undergone surgical procedures for urinary incontinence, also without success. Five patients had repeated bladder distensions performed because of lack of improvement after the first procedure. Follow-up cystometry was performed in 14 cases. In all cases the instability was unchanged. Only one patient reported improvement in voiding symptoms. No complications were seen. With a success-rate of 6% (1 out of 15 patients) we do not recommend bladder distension with the present procedure as therapy for detrusor instability.