The impact of prior back surgery on neuromodulation outcomes: A review of over 500 patients.

AIMS: To evaluate neuromodulation outcomes in patients with prior back surgery. METHODS: Adults in our prospective observational sacral/pudendal neuromodulation study were retrospectively evaluated. History and operative details were reviewed, and outcomes were measured at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months with overactive bladder questionnaire (OAB q) symptom severity (SS)/health related quality of life (HRQOL), interstitial cystitis symptom/problem indices (ICSI - PI), voiding diaries, and global response assessments (GRA). Data were examined with Pearson's χ2 , Fisher's exact, Wilcoxon rank sum tests, and logistic regression multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Five hundred and sixty patients were evaluated (mean age 58.8 ± 17 years; 83% female; 79% had a sacral lead placed), 109 (19%) had history of back surgery; 66 surgeries were lumbar. Back surgery patients were older (mean 63 ± 15 vs. 58 ± 17 years; P = 0.003) and a higher proportion had urge urinary incontinence (UUI) (64% vs. 50% P = 0.008). Generator implant rates were similar (94% vs. 91%; P = 0.34). OABq-SS and HRQOL and ICSI - PI composite scores did not differ between groups at any time point. On bladder diaries, median incontinence episodes daily at baseline and between stages were worse in the prior back surgery group but all bladder diary parameters improved significantly in both groups with the exception of mean voided volume which only improved significantly in the non-back surgery group. Most patients in both groups reported moderate/marked improvement in overall bladder symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that prior back surgery does not appear to impact clinical outcomes; therefore, neuromodulation may be offered in this patient population.

Outcomes of Sacral Neuromodulation in Patients with Prior Surgical Treatment of Stress Urinary Incontinence and Pelvic Organ Prolapse.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of sacral neuromodulation in patients with prior stress urinary incontinence (SUI) or pelvic organ prolapse (POP) surgery. METHODS: Women in our prospective neuromodulation database were evaluated. Patients with a history of prior SUI/POP surgery were compared to those without. Medical records at baseline were reviewed, and primary outcome was defined as moderate/marked improvement on Global Response Assessment (GRA) at 3 months. Secondary outcomes were measured using bladder diaries and Overactive Bladder Symptom Severity (OABq-SS)/health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Data were analyzed with Pearson χ test, Fisher exact test, Wilcoxon rank-sum test, and repeated-measures analyses. RESULTS: Of 210 subjects, 108 (51%) had prior SUI/POP surgery. Patients with SUI/POP surgery had more prior hysterectomies. At 3 months, there was no difference between groups on GRA outcomes. On the bladder diary, both groups had improvement in median voids per 24 hours, urgency severity, and urge incontinence over 2 years. On the GRA, fewer patients in the SUI/POP group were treatment responders at 12 and 24 months. For urinary urgency, a few in this group were moderately/markedly improved at 6 months, and a higher proportion are reported still leaking urine at 6 and 12 months. Similar proportions in each group reported moderate/marked improvement in leaking. Satisfaction was similar between groups. The OABq-SS/HRQOL scores improved, and there was no difference between the groups. CONCLUSION: Sacral neuromodulation improves bladder symptoms in women with prior SUI/POP surgery, but response may be slightly less in those with prior surgery due to underlying bladder or pelvic floor issues.

Understanding clinic options for overactive bladder.

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a symptom complex of urinary frequency, nocturia and urgency with or without urgency incontinence that adversely impacts patient's quality of life. Conservative management begins in the outpatient clinic, often with significant improvement and patient satisfaction. In this review we will discuss the evaluation of OAB and review treatment options focusing on behavioral modification, medical therapy, and neuromodulation. These treatment options are offered in a stepwise fashion, remembering that more than one may be needed and can be used concomitantly.