Variable- versus constant-frequency sacral neuromodulation in black-zone overactive bladder patients: a study protocol for a multicenter, prospective, randomized, blind, self-controlled trial

Efficacy and Safety of Sacral Neuromodulation by Converting Constant Frequency Stimulation Into Variable Frequency Stimulation in Patients With Detrusor Overactivity and Impaired Contractility: A Single-Center Prospective Study

OBJECTIVES

In patients with detrusor overactivity with impaired contractility (DOIC), it is difficult to relieve abnormal lower urinary tract symptoms during both storage and voiding using sacral neuromodulation (SNM) with constant frequency stimulation (CFS). We sought to evaluate the efficacy and safety of SNM using variable frequency stimulation (VFS) in patients with DOIC by comparing it with outcomes of SNM with CFS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between September 2020 and May 2021, we prospectively enrolled 20 patients with DOIC, confirmed on urodynamic examination, and administered SNM with VFS. The patients were followed up and required to maintain voiding diaries and record scale scores of overactive bladder symptoms, psychology and quality of life, uroflowmetry, ultrasonic postvoid residual urine, and adverse events at baseline and during the CFS and VFS phases.

RESULTS

The average testing phase was 26.3 ± 4.1 days. Compared with baseline values, overactive bladder symptom, psychologic health questionnaire, and quality of life scores, in addition to voiding frequency, urgency incontinence frequency, daily catheterization volume of voiding diary, and ultrasonic postvoid residual (PVR) decreased significantly during both the CFS and VFS phases (p < 0.05). The average voided volume, functional bladder capacity, and maximum urine flow rate significantly increased during the CFS and VFS phases (p < 0.05). In the VFS phase, voiding frequency, urgency incontinence frequency, daily catheterization volume of voiding diary, and ultrasonic PVR further decreased (p < 0.05), whereas functional bladder capacity, maximum urine flow rate, quality of life score, overactive bladder symptom score, and psychologic health questionnaire score further improved compared with results obtained in the CFS phase (p < 0.05). In the VFS phase, the success rate of further improvement of symptoms was 85.0%, and no new complications were noted.

CONCLUSIONS

SNM that converts CFS into VFS may be an effective treatment option for patients with DOIC, exhibiting no increase in adverse events.

Sacral neuromodulation remote programming in patients with refractory lower urinary tract dysfunction: China’s experience during the COVID-19 pandemic

Objectives

Sacral neuromodulation is an effective, minimally invasive treatment for refractory lower urinary tract dysfunction. However, regular postoperative programming is crucial for the maintenance of the curative effects of electronic sacral stimulator devices. The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) limited the ability of practitioners to perform traditional face-to-face programming of these stimulators. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the application of remote programming technology for sacral neuromodulation during the COVID-19 pandemic in China.

Materials and methods

We retrospectively collected data including baseline and programming information of all patients with lower urinary tract dysfunction who underwent sacral neuromodulation remote programming in China after the outbreak of COVID-19 (i.e., December 2019). The patients also completed a self-designed telephone questionnaire on the subject.

Results

A total of 51 patients from 16 centers were included. They underwent 180 total remote programming visits, and 118, 2, 25, and 54 voltage, current, pulse width, and frequency adjustments, respectively, were performed. Additionally, remote switching on and off was performed 8 times; impedance test, 54 times; and stimulation contact replacement, 25 times. The demand for remote programming was the highest during the first 6 months of sacral neuromodulation (average, 2.39 times per person). In total, 36 out of the 51 patients completed the questionnaire survey. Of these, all indicated that they chose remote programming to minimize unnecessary travel because they had been affected by COVID-19. The questionnaire also showed that remote programming could reduce the number of patient visits to the hospital, save time, reduce financial costs, and would be easy for patients to master. All surveyed patients indicated that they were satisfied with remote programming and were willing to recommend it to other patients.

Conclusion

Remote programming for sacral neuromodulation is feasible, effective, safe, and highly recommended by patients with refractory lower urinary tract dysfunction. Remote programming technology has great development and application potential in the post-pandemic era.