Determining outcomes, adverse events, and predictors of success after sacral neuromodulation for lower urinary disorders in women

Introduction and hypothesis The objective of this study was to determine the predictors of successful treatment of lower urinary tract disorders with sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) and the rate of adverse events and reoperations. Methods A retrospective case series of patients who underwent SNS at a single institution was analyzed. Results Seventy-six patients underwent stage I trial of SNS. Fifty-eight (76%) patients experienced improvement and underwent placement of an implantable pulse generator with a mean follow-up of 23.7 months (SD±22.3). Surgical revisions occurred in 14/58 (24%) patients and 15/58 (26%) patients had the device explanted after a mean of 2.8 years (SD±1.7). Patients with greater than ten incontinence episodes per day were more likely to have a successful stage I trial compared to those with less than five (OR= 10.3; 95% CI 2.1 to 50.60). Conclusions Although SNS is a safe and effective therapy for lower urinary tract disorders, it is associated with a high reoperation rate. © 2011 The International Urogynecological Association.