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Aims: Motor and sensory responses help guide lead placement during staged neuromodulation procedures. However, eliciting sensory responses requires lighter anesthesia. We evaluated the impact of assessing sensory responses during quadripolar tined lead placement on outcomes in subjects with refractory voiding symptoms., Methods: Adults who had a sacral lead placed were identified from our prospective neuromodulation database and grouped by whether they had intraoperative sensory testing or not. History, operative data, and implantable permanent generator (IPG) implant, lead revision and device explant rates were collected from medical records. Symptoms were evaluated with the Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Index/Problem Index (ICSI-PI) and scaled global response assessments (GRA) for the first 24 months post IPG placement. Data were analyzed using Pearson's Chi-square, Fisher's Exact, or Wilcoxon rank test., Results: Of 141 subjects (82% female), 86 (61%) had sensory testing and 55 (39%) did not. Sensory and no sensory testing groups were not significantly different on demographics, urologic diagnosis, IPG implant rates (76/84; 90% and 48/55; 87% respectively) or mean operative time (37.9 ± 13.9 minutes vs. 35.5 ± 11.6). Within 4 years, 19/141 (13.5%) were revised and/or explanted. For explant alone, 11/86 (13%) in the sensory and only 3/55 (5.5%) in the no sensory group (P = 0.16) were explanted. Overall, ICSI-PI scores improved over time (P < 0.0001) and most reported improvement on the GRA at each time point, but no differences were seen between groups., Conclusions: Intraoperative sensory testing during sacral lead placement does not necessarily improve IPG implantation rates or clinical outcomes of neuromodulation., (Copyright © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Aims: Chronic pudendal nerve stimulation (CPNS) is a logical alternative particularly in those who fail sacral stimulation. We evaluated symptoms, complications, and satisfaction after CPNS., Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients having a tined lead placed at the pudendal nerve via the ischial-rectal approach. Demographics, history, complications, and pre-implant voiding diary data were collected. In those responding to CPNS, post-implant symptom changes were measured with the Interstitial Cystitis Symptom and Problem indices (ICSI-PI) and voiding diaries at 3, 6, and 12 months, and a mailed survey., Results: The majority of 84 patients (78.6% female; age 51.8 ± 16.9 years) had interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome, or overactive bladder. Pudendal response (≥ 50% improvement) occurred in 60/84 (71.4%), however 5 of these chose sacral neuromodulation. Almost all (93.2%) who had previously failed sacral neuromodulation responded to pudendal stimulation. Outcomes were evaluated in 55 continuing on CPNS (median follow up 24.1 months). Seven complications requiring 5 revisions, and 4 other re-operations occurred. Five were explanted. Over time, significant improvements in frequency (P < 0.0001), voided volume (P < 0.0001), incontinence (P < 0.0001), and urgency (P = 0.0019) occurred. ICSI-PI scores significantly improved over 12 months (P < 0.0001). Survey responses indicated that most still had a device (35/40; 87.5%) continuously in use (24/29; 82.8%), and overall bladder, pelvic pain, incontinence, urgency, and frequency symptoms had improved., Conclusions: CPNS is a reasonable alternative in complex patients refractory to other therapies including sacral neuromodulation. Continued research is needed to fully assess long-term outcomes and identify predictors of success., (© 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)