Sacral Nerve Stimulation among Therapies Endorsed by Doctors Severe complications resulting from the use of vaginal mesh devices has led to an alarming number of complaints from patients and this has created a need to look for other forms of therapy in treating pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Offered as alternatives are several methods with each one getting varying responses from patients and healthcare providers.
The use of the sacral nerve stimulator (SNS) is one method of therapy which has been receiving positive responses lately. Based on different studies including that of the American Urological Association, patients have reported improvement in the number of urinations, the volume of urine created, reduction of urgency, and a general improvement in the quality of life for these patients. It has been reported that complete success was experienced by at least 50 percent of incontinence patients.
Similar to a pacemaker, this method of therapy uses a neurotransmitter that is implanted beneath the skin in the buttock or abdominal areas. Through a lead placed close to the sacral nerve, the device sends mild electrical pulses to stimulate the bladder, sphincter, and the pelvic floor muscles.
This allows better functioning of the urinary tract, relieves the pain experienced during urination, and improves the brain’s ability to control urination and defecation. Experts believe that the effectiveness of this therapy may be due to the stimulation and activation of the afferent fibers in the pelvic floor muscles although no official explanation has been accepted.
Advantages of this method of therapy include its higher than average success rate on reducing or eliminating incontinence problems of patients and being generally safe with only a few risks involved. This type of treatment may also be easily discontinued or reversed without producing
permanent damage on the nerves. The use of the sacral nerve stimulator is also non-invasive which means patients are not exposed to unnecessary complications or injuries.
This method has been shown to have risks that may be limited and occurring rarely. The occurrence of infections has been reported to be very low at three percent. The possibility of a mechanical failure is another problem although this is easily rectified by revising or reprogramming. Pain at the point of insertion, mild electrical shock, lead movement, and a slight discomfort when urinating are other possible risks.
A trial is first undertaken by using a test lead which is applied in the doctor’s clinic in order to determine if this method of therapy is appropriate for the patient. If the test results are successful, then a permanent implantation may be undertaken. This time a minor procedure would be performed which may require the patient to stay in the hospital for at least a day.
As a treatment for POP and SUI, sacral nerve stimulation has been described by doctors as a very promising option which may eliminate the need for surgical operations such as the use of vaginal mesh devices. A lot of women will benefit from this in view of the severe complications caused by these devices. These complications have resulted to litigations such as the vaginal mesh lawsuits which are pending in courts different states. For details and updates, please click on vaginalmeshlawsuitcenter.us.
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my.clevelandclinic.org/services/sacral_nerve_stimulation/hic_sacral_nerve_stimulation.a spx surgeryencyclopedia.com/Pa-St/Sacral-Nerve-Stimulation.html#ixzz2QMOEPTeu mayoclinic.com/health/urinary-incontinence/DS00404/DSECTION=treatments-anddrugs