Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation: the Urgent PC device.
Lower urinary tract disorders, with its main representative the overactive bladder, are an increasing problem that impact patients' quality of life tremendously. Neuromodulative treatment may fill the gap between conservative measures and invasive surgery. Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (Urgent PC) is a neuromodulation technique that is minimally invasive and easy to perform. Stimulation is carried out in 12 weekly sessions of 30 min each, through a percutaneously placed needle cephalad to the medial malleolus. Success can be obtained in approximately two-thirds of patients, but the therapy has the disadvantage of the necessity of maintenance therapy. The development of a small implantable device may be the future next step in the evolution of the technique.
van Balken
Michael R
MR
Rijnstate Hospital, Department of Urology, PO Box 9555, NL-6800 TA, Arnhem, The Netherlands. mvanbalken@alysis.nl
D006801:Humans; D013979:Tibial Nerve; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014555:Urination Disorders / Q000628:therapy*