The use of third line therapy was reported to be less than 5%. This rate is higher at our institution, which is likely due to multiple female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery providers. We also apply an algorithm that facilitates patient education on available options should first and second line treatments fail. Given the limited compliance with medical treatment for overactive bladder, we are likely missing a segment of the patient population who would benefit from third line treatment. Our data demonstrate an opportunity for urologists to improve the quality of overactive bladder treatment and subsequently improve patient quality of life.

No abstract

Aims To evaluate factors associated with progression to stage 2 sacral neuromodulation (SNM) for refractory overactive bladder, urinary retention, or fecal incontinence using optimal lead placement techniques with curved stylet. Methods This is a retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database of all consecutive stage 1 SNM lead placements at our institution between August 2014 and May 2017 using optimal lead placement technique with curved stylet. Patients with refractory overactive bladder, urinary retention, or fecal incontinence were enrolled. Patients with 50% or more symptom improvement on voiding diaries were offered stage 2 implant. Demographics, clinical, and surgical characteristics were compared for patients who underwent successful stage 2 implants versus those who underwent lead removal at the end of the stage 1 trial period. Results 127 patients underwent SNM during the study period. Motor thresholds of ≤2 mA in all four electrodes were achieved in 74% of patients (94/127). A total of 89.0% (113/127) of patients received stage 2 implants. The main indication for implant, specifically urgency urinary incontinence, was positively associated with progression to stage 2 implant. Male gender, history of pelvic pain and previous SNM were negatively associated with progression to stage 2 implant. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate that the contemporary optimized lead placement technique resulted in low motor thresholds and successful progression to stage 2 SNM implant in the majority of our cohort. Predictive factors associated with success or failure may potentially guide decision making for therapeutic interventions and counseling patient expectations.

To identify demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with symptomatic pelvic floor mesh complications who underwent mesh removal at our academic medical center. The secondary goal was to determine patient-reported outcomes after mesh removal. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of consecutive patients from 2011-2016 undergoing removal of mesh graft for treatment of symptomatic mesh-related complications. Patient demographics, comorbidities, symptoms, and mesh factors were evaluated. Outcomes after explant were determined by the Patient Global Impression of Improvement and a Likert satisfaction scale. Results: One hundred fifty-six symptomatic patients underwent complete or partial pelvic floor mesh removal during the study period. Mid-urethral slings comprised 86% of explanted mesh grafts. Mesh exposure or erosion was identified in 72% of patients. Eighty-one percent of patients presented with pain, and 35% reported pain in the absence of exposure or erosion. Pre-operative comorbidities included psychiatric disease (54.5%), chronic pain (34.0%), irritable bowel syndrome (20.5%) and fibromyalgia (9.6%). Forty-three percent of patients reported current or past tobacco use. At mean follow-up of 14 months, 68% of responding patients reported improvement on the Patient Global Impression of Improvement after surgery. Conclusions: This research identified tobacco use, and psychiatric, immunosuppressive, and chronic pain conditions as prevalent in this cohort of patients undergoing mesh removal. Surgical removal can improve presenting symptoms, including for patients with pain in the absence of other indications.

Definitions of urinary tract infection are heterogeneous and frequently absent in the literature on onabotulinumtoxinA to treat overactive bladder and/or neurogenic bladder. Given the potential for post-procedure urinary symptoms in this setting, explicit criteria are imperative to establish the true urinary tract infection rate following treatment with onabotulinumtoxinA.