Preliminary analysis of stimulation parameters for sacral neuromodulation in different indications: A multi-center retrospective cohort study from China

Lingfeng Meng; Zehao Yan; Xinhao Wang; Yaoguang Zhang; Zhikai Zhu; Wen Zhu; Qing Ling; Xiaoke Sun; Yinjun Gu; Jianwei Lv; Yan Li

doi:10.1097/JS9.0000000000001302

Preliminary analysis of stimulation parameters for sacral neuromodulation in different indications: A multi-center retrospective cohort study from China

Int J Surg. 2024 Mar 4. doi: 10.1097/JS9.0000000000001302. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Lingfeng Meng¹, Zehao Yan¹, Xinhao Wang¹, Yaoguang Zhang¹, Zhikai Zhu², Wen Zhu³, Qing Ling⁴, Xiaoke Sun⁵, Yinjun Gu⁶, Jianwei Lv⁷, Yan Li⁸

Affiliations

¹ Department of urology, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China.
² Center for Big Data, National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100070, China.
³ Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China.
⁴ Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
⁵ Department of Urology, Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710014, China.
⁶ Department of Urology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200000, China.
⁷ Department of Urology, Gongli Hospital of Shanghai Pudong New Area, Shanghai, 200000, China.
⁸ Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China.

PMID: 38445489
DOI: 10.1097/JS9.0000000000001302

Abstract

Background: Sacral neuromodulation (SNM) is an effective approach for treating lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD), and stimulation programming is essential for successful treatment. However, research on SNM programming for various indications is limited. Thus, we aimed to determine whether there were differences in the stimulation parameters for different SNM indications and the appropriate programming recommendations.

Materials and methods: Clinical data were retrospectively collected from patients with LUTD who underwent SNM and completed internal pulse generator (IPG) implantation. The parameters with the highest patient satisfaction or the most symptom improvement during the test period were considered optimal and used to set the programming after IPG implantation.

Results: After screening, 282 patients were enrolled and categorized into four groups based on the following indications: refractory overactive bladder (OAB) (n=61), neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (nLUTD) (n=162), interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/BPS) (n=24), and idiopathic non-obstructive urinary retention (NOUR) (n=35). When analyzing the optimal stimulus parameters, disparities in the stimulation amplitude and pulse frequency were noted among the four groups. The stimulation amplitude in the nLUTD group was higher than that in the idiopathic NOUR group (P=0.013). Differences in pulse frequency were observed between the refractory OAB and nLUTD groups (P<0.001) and between the refractory OAB and idiopathic NOUR groups (P=0.001). No differences in the electrode configuration or pulse width settings existed among the four groups.

Conclusions: The stimulation parameters for SNM varied among the different indications. For the initial programming of stage I, most patients are recommended to start with stimulation amplitudes below 2 V, although patients with nLUTD may benefit from higher amplitudes. A standard pulse width of 210 μs is recommended for all patients. However, for individuals experiencing nLUTD or idiopathic NOUR, the pulse frequency can begin above the standard 14 Hz but not exceed 50 Hz.