title: Minimum 6-year outcomes for interstitial cystitis treated with sacral neuromodulation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Interstitial cystitis is a multifaceted medical condition consisting of pelvic pain, urgency, and frequency. Can sacral neuromodulation be successfully utilized for the medium term of ≥ 6 years in interstitial cystitis patients for whom standard drug therapies have failed?
  
  
  METHODS
  In our observational, retrospective, case-controlled review (January 2002-March 2004), we sought to discern whether neuromodulation could be successfully implemented with acceptable morbidity rates in interstitial cystitis patients. Thirty-four female patients underwent stage 1 and 2 InterStim placements under a general anesthetic. Simple means and medians were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean pre-op/post-op pelvic pain and urgency/frequency scores were 21.61 ± 8.6/9.22 ± 6.6 (p < 0.01), and mean pre-op/post-op visual analog pain scale (VAPS) were 6.5 ± 2.9/2.4 ± 1.1 (p < 0.01). Median age was 41 ± 14.8 years with a mean follow-up of 86 ± 9.8 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With a minimum 6-year follow-up we determined that sacral neuromodulation provides adequate improvement for the symptoms of recalcitrant interstitial cystitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology and Urogynecology, Women's and Children's Hospital, Lafayette, LA 70508, USA. urourogyn@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Serge P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Marinkovic
authors.forename: Lisa M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Gillen
authors.forename: Christina M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Marinkovic
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D018856:Cystitis, Interstitial / Q000601:surgery*; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D058542:Implantable Neurostimulators; D008875:Middle Aged; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult