Video-urodynamics efficacy of sacral neuromodulation for neurogenic bladder guided by three-dimensional imaging CT and C-arm fluoroscopy: a single-center prospective study

To assess the efficacy of sacral neuromodulation (SNM) for neurogenic bladder (NB), guided by intraoperative three-dimensional imaging of sacral computed tomography (CT) and mobile C-arm fluoroscopy through video-urodynamics examination. We enrolled 52 patients with NB who underwent conservative treatment with poor results between September 2019 and June 2021 and prospectively underwent SNM guided by intraoperative three-dimensional imaging of sacral CT and mobile C-arm fluoroscopy. Video-urodynamics examination, voiding diary, quality of life questionnaire, overactive bladder symptom scale (OABSS) scoring, and bowel dysfunction exam were completed and recorded at baseline, at SNM testing, and at 6-month follow-up phases. Finally, we calculated the conversion rate from period I to period II, as well as the treatment efficiency and the occurrence of adverse events during the testing and follow-up phases. The testing phase of 52 NB patients was 18–60 days, with an average of (29.3 ± 8.0) days. Overall, 38 patients underwent SNM permanent electrode implantation, whose follow-up phase was 3–25 months, with an average of (11.9 ± 6.1) months. Compared with baseline, the voiding times, daily catheterization volume, quality of life score, OABSS score, bowel dysfunction score, maximum detrusor pressure before voiding, and residual urine volume decreased significantly in the testing phase. The daily voiding volume, functional bladder capacity, maximum urine flow rate, bladder compliance, and maximum cystometric capacity increased significantly in the testing phase. Besides, the voiding times, daily catheterization volume, quality of life score, OABSS score, bowel dysfunction score, maximum detrusor pressure before voiding, and residual urine volume decreased further from the testing to follow-up phase. Daily voiding volume, functional bladder capacity, maximum urine flow rate, bladder compliance, and maximum cystometric capacity increased further from testing to follow-up. At baseline, 10 ureteral units had vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), and 9 of them improved in the testing phase. Besides, there was 1 unit that further improved to no reflux during the follow-up phase. At baseline, 10 patients had detrusor overactivity (DO), and 8 of them improved in the testing phase. Besides, 1 patient’s symptoms further improved during the follow-up phase. At baseline, there were 35 patients with detrusor-bladder neck dyssynergia (DBND); 14 (40.0%) of them disappeared during the testing phase. Among 13 cases who had DBND in the testing phase, 6 (46.2%) disappeared during the follow-up phase. Of the 47 patients with detrusor-external sphincter dyssynergia (DESD) at baseline, 8 (17.0%) disappeared during the testing phase. Among 26 cases who had DESD in the testing phase, 6 (23.1%) disappeared during the follow-up phase. The effective rate of this study was 88.5% (46/52), and the conversion rate from phase I to phase II was 73.1% (38/52). Additionally, the efficacy in a short-term follow-up was stable. SNM guided by intraoperative three-dimensional imaging of sacral CT and mobile C-arm fluoroscopy is an effective and safe treatment option for NB in short time follow-up. It would be well improved in the bladder storage function, sphincter synergetic function and emptying efficiency by video-urodynamics examination in this study. Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry. ChiCTR2100050290. Registered August 25 2021. http://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx.