Minimum 6-year outcomes for interstitial cystitis treated with sacral neuromodulation

Interstitial cystitis is a multifaceted medical condition consisting of pelvic pain, urgency, and frequency. Can sacral neuromodulation be successfully utilized for the medium term of a parts per thousand yen6 years in interstitial cystitis patients for whom standard drug therapies have failed? In our observational, retrospective, case-controlled review (January 2002-March 2004), we sought to discern whether neuromodulation could be successfully implemented with acceptable morbidity rates in interstitial cystitis patients. Thirty-four female patients underwent stage 1 and 2 InterStim placements under a general anesthetic. Simple means and medians were analyzed. Mean pre-op/post-op pelvic pain and urgency/frequency scores were 21.61 +/- 8.6/9.22 +/- 6.6 (p < 0.01), and mean pre-op/post-op visual analog pain scale (VAPS) were 6.5 +/- 2.9/2.4 +/- 1.1 (p < 0.01). Median age was 41 +/- 14.8 years with a mean follow-up of 86 +/- 9.8 months. With a minimum 6-year follow-up we determined that sacral neuromodulation provides adequate improvement for the symptoms of recalcitrant interstitial cystitis.