Role of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation in the management of the detrusor overactivity

Abstract

Introduction Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) is a technique that was developed a decade or more ago, but it does not seem to have become widely adopted into clinical practice. Aim The purpose of this study is focused on the efficacy of PTNS for the treatment of an overactive bladder. Patients and methods Between September 2016 and October 2019, this study included 40 patients who are complaining of irritative voiding symptoms, such as frequency, urgency, nocturia, enuresis, and urge incontinence. Those patients are divided into two equal groups subjected to PTNS and sham groups. Results Only 40 patients completed the study, and they were divided into two groups A and B. Group A included 20 patients, 17 females and three males with a mean age of 24 years (SD 5.09) subjected to PTNS. Group B included 20 patients, 16 females and four males with a mean age of 27.65 (SD 7.10) as a placebo group. There was a highly significant change in frequency along the treatment course among PTNS. Urge incontinence manifestations in group A (PTNS): at 3 months, 57% of the patients (8/14) showed improvement. At 1 year: 50% of the patients (7/14) showed improvement. Group B (sham): at 3 months, 27% (5/18) only showed improvement. At 1 year, 22% of the patients (4/18) only showed improvement. Conclusion Posterior tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) is an effective, minimally invasive option for the treatment of patients complaining of an overactive bladder with an easily accessible stimulation site and minimal side effects.

Keywords

• detrusor overactivity
• overactive bladder
• posterior tibial nerve stimulation
• urgency incontinence
• urgency