title: Satisfaction and patient experience with sacral neuromodulation: results of a single center sample survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We systematically assessed long-term satisfaction and patient experience with sacral nerve modulation therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients who received sacral neuromodulation between 1990 and 2007 at our center and who still had the implant were included in the survey. All received a postal questionnaire regarding satisfaction and experiences with the system, such as side effects, complications, burden, impact on sexuality and defecation changes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 275 questionnaires sent 207 were returned for a 75% response rate. The population was 83% female. Overall treatment was done for overactive bladder syndrome, nonobstructive urinary retention, combined overactive bladder and retention, and pelvic pain in 55%, 24%, 20% and 1% of patients, respectively. Overall satisfaction with sacral neuromodulation was high at 90%. No correlations were found between the satisfaction rate, and pretreatment age, gender, complaint type, sexual dysfunction or therapy duration. However, 56% of patients reported side effects, such as pain at the internal nerve stimulator site and due to stimulation. However, 89% of these patients did not seek further therapy. Of patients with additional defecation problems 47% experienced relief of complaints.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows a high satisfaction rate in patients with sacral neuromodulation. There was no relation between patient age, complaint type, therapy duration or side effects and the satisfaction rate. The number of side effects was limited but further analysis in prospective cohorts should identify patients who are likely to have side effects or stop sacral neuromodulation treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Randall K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Leong
authors.forename: Tom A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Marcelissen
authors.forename: Fred H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Nieman
authors.forename: Rob A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: De Bie
authors.forename: Philip E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Van Kerrebroeck
authors.forename: Stefan G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: De Wachter
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008160:Lumbosacral Plexus; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D011788:Quality of Life; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D053201:Urinary Bladder, Overactive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D016055:Urinary Retention / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D014555:Urination Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult