title: Non-invasive antidromic neurostimulation: a simple effective method for improving bladder storage.
abstract: Patients with intractably diminished bladder storage function are encountered frequently by neurourologists, occasionally requiring reconstructive surgery for appropriate resolution. Although sacral neuromodulation is a recognized effective therapeutic modality, present techniques are technically demanding, invasive, and expensive. This study investigated the effect of non-invasive third sacral nerve (S3) stimulation on bladder activity during filling cystometry. One hundred forty-six patients underwent standard urodynamic filling cystometry that was then immediately repeated. Patients in the study group (n = 74) received antidromic transcutaneous sacral neurostimulation during the second fill and the control group (n = 72) underwent a second fill without neurostimulation. A statistically significant increase in bladder storage capacity without a corresponding rise in detrusor pressure was observed in the neurostimulated patients. This improvement in functional capacity is an encouraging finding that further supports the use of this non-invasive treatment modality in clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, California, USA.
authors.forename: I K
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: W G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Loughridge
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Keane
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Stone
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008160:Lumbosacral Plexus / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011312:Pressure; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D014563:Urodynamics