Active sacral neuromodulator during pregnancy: a unique case report

Sacral Neuromodulation in Pregnant Women—A Case Report and Literature Review

Millions of women around the world suffer from an overactive bladder and urinary retention. A significant number of them are of reproductive age. For 25 years, SNM has been an effective therapy for treatment-resistant hyperactive bladder and idiopathic urinary retention. The paper presents a case of a 35-year-old pregnant woman with an overactive bladder resistant to pharmacological treatment, who responded positively to sacral neuromodulation. The patient decided against deactivating the neuromodulator and, after an uneventful course of pregnancy, she gave birth by a caesarean section to a healthy female infant. The use of SNM in pregnant patients remains a constant clinical challenge. The current literature was reviewed, but published studies do not provide a clear answer. Further studies with a long follow-up period are necessary to determine more accurately the effects of SNM therapy on the fetus and the course of pregnancy. Currently, it is recommended to deactivate SNM during pregnancy. However, it seems that an individual approach to the patient with information on the risks and benefits of continuing or discontinuing therapy should be the current procedure.

Do you really want to deactivate your sacral neuromodulation device during pregnancy? A single center case series

Introduction and hypothesis

The main objective of the study is to assess the efficacy and safety of sacral neuromodulation (SNM) during pregnancy.

Methods

We retrospectively enrolled patients who underwent SNM implantation in our center and subsequently became pregnant. The indication for SNM, timing of device de-activation (if performed), course of pregnancy and urological complications, duration of labor, childbirth term, delivery mode, congenital abnormalities and SNM dysfunctions after delivery were recorded.

Results

Fourteen pregnancies were recorded among 11 women undergoing SNM. Indications for device implantation were urinary retention (7 cases) and dysfunctional voiding (4 cases). Two patients carried on two and three pregnancies, respectively, with the device turned off since the first trimester. They both had to return to self-catheterization and developed recurring urinary tract infections. No major urological complications were recorded among the remaining nine women that kept the device on during pregnancy. A cesarean section was performed in four cases for obstetric reasons, and in seven cases it was planned by the urologist and gynecologist to avoid lead damage/displacement. Three pregnancies resulted in a vaginal delivery, and no association with term of delivery or duration of labor was observed. No congenital abnormalities related to SNM or lead displacement are reported, and only one patient required device removal because of significant loss of efficacy after childbirth.

Conclusions

The use of SNM during pregnancy appears to be safe, without morbidity for the fetus. Moreover, risks associated with switching the device off may be greater than benefits and justify maintaining the electrical stimulation throughout pregnancy.

Neuromodulation - a therapeutic option for refractory overactive bladder. A recent literature review

Overactive bladder (OAB) affects approximately 17% of the population. The treatment of this clinical condition is challenging, especially when conservative therapy is not effective. There are limited options for the treatment of recurrent OAB. Neuromodulation has taken a significant place in the therapy of recalcitrant lower urinary tract dysfunctions over the past 20 years. The aim of this study was to review the literature evaluating the different forms of neuromodulation in various urological clinical conditions and to show the future prospects of this treatment method. Further studies are necessary to determine the effectiveness of neuromodulation and to identify the prognostic factors of therapeutic success. This could be helpful in the selection of patients who will be most likely to respond positively to the treatment.

Sacral neuromodulation and pregnancy: Results of a national survey carried out for the neuro-urology committee of the French Association of Urology (AFU)

AIMS

To assess the impact of sacral neuromodulation (SNM) on pregnancy and vice-versa, by identifying women who had received SNM for lower-urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and had become pregnant.

METHODS

A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out based on responses to an on-line questionnaire sent to practitioners listed on the InterStim enCaptureTM National Registry. Questions were related to pre-pregnancy health and SNM efficacy, deactivation of the device, its impact on LUTS, childbirth, the infant, its reactivation and postpartum effectiveness.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven pregnancies were recorded among 21 women. Six women had had a pregnancy prior to implantation, two of whom had had a c-section. A total of 18.5% of women had the device disabled prior to conception. The others had their device disabled during the first trimester and did not reactivate it before delivery. Complications were reported in 25.9% of pregnancies: six women had urinary infections, including three of the four treated for chronic retention of urine (CRU), and 1 woman had pain at the stimulation site. There were 24 live births (including one premature birth and four c-sections), one spontaneous miscarriage and two voluntary interruptions of pregnancy. No neonatal disorders have been reported. Effectiveness of sacral neuromodulation decreased in 20% in postpartum.

CONCLUSIONS

In 27 pregnancies established during SNM for LUTS, 18.5% of patients deactivated their case before pregnancy and the others switched it off during the first trimester. Three-quarters of women with CRU had urinary infection. No adverse effects on fetuses were found. SNM effectiveness deteriorated in 20% cases after childbirth.

The effect of sacral neuromodulation on pregnancy: a systematic review

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

To evaluate the effects of sacral neuromodulation (SNM) on pregnancy and the impact of delivery on SNM function.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted through January 2016. We selected studies including women who had SNM and a subsequent pregnancy.

RESULTS

Out of 2,316, eight studies were included, comprising 22 patients (26 pregnancies). SNM indications were Fowler's syndrome in 11, urinary retention in 6, fecal incontinence in 1, fecal and urinary urgency in 1, overactive bladder in 1, intractable interstitial cystitis in 1, and myelodysplasia in 1. SNM stayed on in 8 pregnancies. In the remaining 18 pregnancies in which the device was deactivated, 7 had recurrent urinary tract infections, including 1 with pyelonephritis and 2 who requested reactivation owing to recurrent symptoms. Outcomes were reported in 25 pregnancies, 16 had Cesarean section (CS) and 9 had vaginal delivery, including 2 operative deliveries. Out of 25, two infants had pilonidal sinus and motor tic disorder (exhibited at the age of 2 years), both from the same mother. After delivery, SNM was functioning in 15 (60%), 4 required reprogramming, and 3 required replacement (1 had recurrence of fecal incontinence after her operative delivery with evidence of displaced leads and 1 patient reported decreased SNM effects after her two CS), and 3 decided to remove the device (2 out of 3 patients were free of symptoms after SNM deactivation and requested removal).

CONCLUSION

Within the current limited evidence, the decision regarding SNM activation or deactivation should be individualized. A registry for those patients is recommended.