InterStim™ Sacral Nerve Neuromodulation

Overactive bladder symptoms may include urinary frequency, urgency, urge incontinence, and nocturia (waking up at night to urinate). Treatments include fluid restriction and behavioral modification, oral medications, and procedures performed in the office or in the operating room. At West Coast Urology, we offer a variety of minimally invasive procedures to help improve bladder control in men and women.

InterStim™ Therapy was FDA-approved in 1997 for urge incontinence and since 1999 for certain types of urinary retention and urgency-frequency. InterStim™ therapy targets the communication problem with nerve signals to the bladder. Prior to this procedure, you will undergo a detailed evaluation by your urologist to make sure that this procedure is appropriate for you. The procedure includes a test phase and a second stage implantation phase. The test phase gives the patient an opportunity to try out InterStim™ therapy without making a long-term commitment. Before and during the test phase, patients keep voiding diaries to keep record of their urinary symptoms. If there is a greater than 50% improvement in urinary symptoms, your provider will work with you to discuss permanent implantation with a stimulator placed under the skin (similar to a pacemaker).

For more in depth information on InterStim™ therapy, please refer to this informative video from the National Association for Continence:

 

You may also refer to this video by Medtronic, the manufacturer of this device: