Case Report: Sacral Nerve Root Pelvic Neural Retraining, With Long-Term Sustainability After the Device Explantation.
Panteleimon Vassiliu, Filippos Patoulis, Leon Naar and 2 others
PMID 36188844WHAT IT FOUND
An 18-year-old with neurogenic incontinence continued to improve for 29 months after her sacral nerve stimulator was removed.
She reduced diaper use and gained bladder sensation. This single case suggests benefits may persist after device explantation, but it does not prove this works for other patients.
Key findings
01The patient showed additional progress 29 months after the device was explanted, with no fecal incontinence and an 86.1% improvement in urinary incontinence compared to baseline.
02The patient developed a sensation of bladder filling throughout the day and during sleep, a sensation that was completely absent before the intervention.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they found
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What it does not show
This is a single case report, so it cannot determine if these results are typical or if the treatment works for other patients. The patient refused the recommended urodynamic examination after the device was removed, so there is no objective medical data confirming the change in bladder muscle function or capacity. No electromyography was performed at the initial evaluation. The authors note that the specific combination of low impedance and high current in this case was 'serendipitous,' meaning it may not be reproducible in other patients.
Declared interests
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that sacral nerve modulation will provide permanent cure or lasting benefits after the device is removed for other patients. This outcome occurred in one individual with a unique response to stimulation settings, and the authors explicitly state this needs to be demonstrated in a larger group before it can be considered a standard outcome.