Electromotive administration of intravesical lidocaine in patients with interstitial cystitis

Six patients with long-standing interstitial cystitis (IC) were treated with intravesical electromotive drug-assisted (EMDA) therapy using lidocaine (1.5%) and 1:100,000 epinephrine in aqueous solution. A stainless-steel silver-coated anode placed through an 18F Foley catheter was positioned in the urinary bladder, and a 5 x 10-cm dispersion electrode (cathode) was placed on the suprapubic skin, which was well lubricated with conductive jelly. The two electrodes were connected to a pulsed DC generator, and electrical current was slowly ramped from 0 to 15 mA while the lidocaine and epinephrine were in the urinary bladder. After 40 minutes of current application, the bladder was hydraulically dilated to maximum tolerance. Significant bladder dilatation was achieved without systemic symptoms. Post-treatment, voiding symptoms decreased, as did suprapubic and perineal pain, and in four patients, the results have been durable.