World journal of urology
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World journal of urology · Dec 2007
Subcutaneous tunneling of the temporary testing electrode significantly improves the success rate of subchronic sacral nerve modulation (SNM).
Sacral nerve modulation (SNM) is an effective way to treat non-neurogenic dysfunctions of pelvic organs. For over 20 years, this technique has been used for the treatment of overactive bladder, urinary retention, pelvic pain and even more recently, fecal incontinence and constipation. The objective of the study is to improve the fixation of the temporary testing electrode (TTE) in order to obtain more reliable results in the testing phase which should lead to have a comparable success rate as the two-stage implant for a chronic implant. ⋯ The tunneled TTE maintains its place for consistent amplitude during the entire test duration. The modification of placing the TTE produces repayable results. This technique can be performed on an outpatient basis to evaluate sacral nerve modulation as an early treatment option for non-dysfunctions of pelvic organs before they are forwarded to a specialized center for a chronic SNM implantation.