Gynecology & Obstetrics
Open Access
ISSN: 2161-0932
ISSN: 2161-0932
Arndt Van Ophoven
University of Bochum, Germany
Marien Hospital, Germany
Keynote: Gynecol Obstet
Background: Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) occurs in both males, however predominantly in females. The etiology of female SUI is multifaceted and multifactorial (post-delivery, aging pelvic floor etc.). After conservative management, e.g. pelvic floor education, has failed surgical implantation of slings or artificial sphincters is currently offered to the refractory patient. To the best of our knowledge we present for the first time the results of a proof of concept case series regarding bilateral Pudendal Neuromodulation (PNM) for refractory SUI. Material & Methods: Between June 2015 and June 2016 15 women presenting with SUI of various grades received a bilateral pudendal neuromodulation following STAR technique for implantation of the quadripolar electrodes. Patients rated their treatment satisfaction during a four weeks testing interval comparing bilateral versus a switching unilateral stimulation. Changes in amount of Incontinence Episodes (IE), amount of Pad Usage (PU), frequency and Micturition Volume (MV) were compared with baseline at 2 and 4 weeks following implantation. Additionally, patients were asked to grade the extent of their symptom decrease using a Global Response Assessment questionnaire (GRA). Results: Mean age of all 7 patients was 58.8±12.06 years. Mean symptom duration at time of implant was 7.6±10.8 years. All 7 females had previously undergone pelvic surgery for treatment of SUI (sling implantation and explantation, Burch procedure). At week 4 IE dropped statistically significant from 11.0 to 3.6 (p=0.002) and PU from 9.3 to 3.6 respectively (p=0.002). MV increased statistically significant from 175.3 ml to 284.0 ml and 298.7 ml at week 2 and 4, respectively (all p=0.005). Daytime frequency decreased statistically significant from 11.6 voids to 7.0 (p=0.010) and nocturia from 2.5 voids to 1.0 voids at week 4, respectively (p=0.003). GRA reflected patients�?? subjective general amelioration of 60% at week 2 and of 70% at week 4. IPG implantation rate was 73%; all responders asked for a bilateral stimulation to gain maximum symptom decrease and received 2 IPG implants. No SAEs were noted. Conclusion: Bilateral PNM resulted in statistically significant changes of incontinence and voiding parameters in patients presenting with refractory SUI. Bilateral PNM appears to be a safe and efficacious minimally invasive treatment option for SUI. Further long-term studies are needed to assess the full therapeutic potential of this innovative treatment approach to SUI, especially in surgery naïve patients.
Arndt Van Ophoven has received his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Muenster in 1995 where he became Head of the Section of Neuro-Urology and Academic Centre for Continence Care in 2004. Earlier from 1998 to 1999 he was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Department of Urology, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). In July 2008, he was appointed as the Head of the Division of Neuro-Urology at the University Hospital of Bochum. He is currently lecturing at the University of Bochum. He is a Member of many national and international (neuro) urological societies and has published his research internationally. His clinical activities and research interests focus on the treatment of neurogenic voiding dysfunction including overactive bladder, urogenital inflammation and pelvic pain syndromes.
E-mail: arndt.vanophoven@marienhospital-herne.de