What is sacral nerve electrical stimulation

Our department successfully performed a case of implantable programmable sacral nerve electrical stimulation (Interstim) procedure on July 27, 2015. Sacral nerve electrical stimulation is a new minimally invasive treatment, which is hailed as a revolution of traditional treatment methods. It is particularly suitable for patients with various diseases causing urge incontinence, urinary frequency and urgency syndrome, and non-obstructive chronic urinary retention. InterStim therapy is a two-step process: test stimulation and surgical implantation. If the patient is able to obtain symptom relief during the test stimulation, the implantation of the entire system is appropriate. In June of this year, the Department of Urology saw a 15-year-old high school student who was a good student in school. However, one year ago, a lumbar spine slipped and caused sacral nerve dysfunction, difficulty in urination, and weakness in the lower extremities. After lumbar spine repositioning and fixation surgery, urinary function could not be restored, and urodynamic testing showed a basic loss of bladder forcing muscle function, complicated by severe urinary retention, filling incontinence, bilateral hydronephrosis and renal impairment and recurrent urinary tract infections. He could only use adult diapers on a daily basis, and visited several medical clinics in several major cities in China without any good solutions. His life was unbearable and his personality became introverted and inferior. After visiting the Department of Urology of the Ninth Hospital, I conducted a case discussion and a hospital-wide consultation and drew up a detailed treatment plan. After stage I surgery to implant electrodes through the sacral hole and then a temporary electrical stimulator for continuous electrical stimulation, the patient’s urinary incontinence and urination improved significantly after 2 weeks of use, and both hydronephrosis disappeared, and the residual bladder urine basically disappeared. Then another stage II surgery was performed to implant the long-acting stimulation system, and after treatment, the patient regained confidence in life. The development of this technology has created a new technical field in urinary control treatment.