• Paul A Lehur, Michael Sørensen, Thomas C Dudding, Charles H Knowles, Stefan de Wachter, Stefan Engelberg, Klaus E Matzel, and European SNM Expert Group.
• Coloproctology Unit, Ospedale Regionale di Lugano, Lugano, Switzerland.
• Neuromodulation. 2020 Dec 1; 23 (8): 1121-1129.

BackgroundIn sacral neuromodulation (SNM), stimulation programming plays a key role to achieve success of the therapy. However to date, little attention has been given to the best ways to set and optimize SNM programming during the test and chronic stimulation phases of the procedure.ObjectiveStandardize and make SNM programming easier and more efficient for the several conditions for which SNM is proposed.MethodsSystematic literature review and collective clinical experience report.ResultsThe basic principles of SNM programming are described. It covers choice of electrode configuration, stimulation amplitude, pulse frequency and pulse widths, while use of cycling is also briefly discussed. Step-by-step practical flow charts developed by a group of 13 European experts are presented.ConclusionsProgramming of SNM therapy is not complex. There are few programming settings that seem beneficial or significantly impact patient outcomes. Only four basic electrode configurations could be identified according to four different options to define the cathode. In a majority of patients, the proposed stimulation parameters will allow a satisfactory improvement for long periods of time. A regular follow-up is, however, necessary to assess and eventually optimize results, as well as to reassure patients.© 2020 The Authors. Neuromodulation: Technology at the Neural Interface published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Neuromodulation Society.

13 keywords...

hide…