Sacral neuromodulation for the treatment of refractory interstitial cystitis: outcomes based on technique.

Patients with refractory interstitial cystitis (IC) underwent testing with sacral nerve modulation via either a traditional percutaneous approach or a staged procedure. Implanted patients were followed with scaled questionnaires and voiding diaries. Twenty-six patients who had a permanent InterStim placed had a reduction in 24-h voids of 51%.

A simplified method of implanting a neuromodulator device.

Purpose: The InterStim neuromodulator device (Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota) is indicated for the treatment of refractory urge incontinence, urinary frequency and urgency, and nonobstructive urinary retention. We present a modification of the 2-stage approach which is simple to perform, reduces the number of incisions from 2 to 1, decreases operative time and potentially decreases the risk of infection.