Sacral nerve stimulation, sometimes referred to as a "pacemaker for the bladder and bowels" delivers nonpainful, electrical pulses to the sacral nerves to improve or restore function.
A relatively simple procedure works via a complex mechanism to modulate the reflexes that influence the bladder, bowels, sphincters, and pelvic floor. Current approved indications include urinary urge incontinence, urgency-frequency, nonobstructive urinary retention, and fecal incontinence. The history, mechanism of action, evolution, and landmark literature for this treatment modality are reviewed.
Written by:
Noblett KL, Cadish LA. Are you the author?
Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California Irvine, Orange, CA.
Reference: Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2013 Jul 27. pii: S0002-9378(13)00757-6.
doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2013.07.025
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 23899452
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