Lower Urinary Tract and Bowel Disorders and Multiple Sclerosis: Role of Sacral Neuromodulation: A Preliminary Report.
Minardi, Daniele MD, PhD; Muzzonigro, Giovanni MD, PhD
[Article] Neuromodulation. 8(3):176-181, July 2005.

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Objective: In the present study we wanted to determine whether sacral neuromodulation benefits patients with bladder and bowel symptoms caused by multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods: At our Institute, five patients with MS underwent unilateral implantation of a sacral neuromodulation system, InterStim (Medtronic Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA), between April 2001 and June 2002; the mean follow-up was 30.4 months (range 24-38). The following parameters were evaluated before and after implant of the neurostimulator device: number of daily voidings, number of incontinent episodes, residual urine, Wexner score, quality of life (QoL), and psychological impact.

Results: There was an overall 81.4% decrease of urgency and frequency with a significant decrease in the number of upper urinary tract infections and fever; there was a slight improvement in bowel function; there was an overall 51.8% improvement in the QoL and a discernible improvement emotional well-being.

Conclusions: Unilateral chronic sacral neuromodulation can be a valuable treatment for neurogenic bladder and bowel disorders associated with MS.

Copyright (C) 2005 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.