Non-invasive antidromic neurostimulation: A simple effective method for improving bladder storage

Patients with intractably diminished bladder storage function are encounter ed frequently by neurourologists, occasionally requiring reconstructive sur gery for appropriate resolution. Although sacral neuromodulation is a recog nized effective therapeutic modality, present techniques are technically de manding, invasive, and expensive. This study investigated the effect of non -invasive third sacral nerve (S3) stimulation on bladder activity during fi lling cystometry. One hundred forty-six patients underwent standard urodyna mic filling cystometry that was then immediately repeated. Patients in the study group (n = 74) received antidromic transcutaneous sacral neurostimula tion during the second fill and the control group (n = 72) underwent a seco nd fill without neurostimulation. A statistically significant increase in b ladder storage capacity without a corresponding rise in detrusor pressure w as observed in the neurostimulated patients. This improvement in functional capacity is an encouraging finding that further supports the use of this n on-invasive treatment modality in clinical practice. Neurourol. Urodynam. 2 0:73-84. 2001. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.