To investigate the long-term efficacy and success rate of intravesical electromotive botulinum toxin type A (BoNTA) “Dysport” administration in patients with myelomeningocele who had urinary incontinence due to neuropathic detrusor overactivity (NDO).

Twenty-four patients with myelomeningocele (mean age: 9 ± 3.6 years, range: 3-16) were included in the study and followed up for 6 years. Using an electrode bladder catheter, 10 IU/kg of Dysport (BoNTA) was inserted into the bladder for electromotive drug administration (EMDA) without anesthesia on outpatient basis. The EMDA equipment was connected to the electrode of an indwelling catheter and 2 dispersive electrodes, and a pulsed current generator delivered 10 mA for 20 minutes. The preliminary assessments were voiding diary, urodynamic study, kidney and bladder ultrasounds which were also performed annually.

Prior to the treatment, all patients had NDO and urinary incontinence. During the follow-up, 18 of 24 (75%), 11 of 24 (45.5%), 9 of 24 (37.5%), 8 of 24 (33%), and 7 of 24 (29.1%) of the patients were completely dry between 2 consecutive clean intermittent catheterizations after once BoNTA-EMDA treatment at 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 years of follow-up, respectively. The mean maximum detrusor pressure significantly decreased and mean maximal cystometric capacity significantly increased at follow-ups (P <.05).

The results of the present study have shown that BoNTA-EMDA is a feasible, safe, reproducible, cost-effective, long-lasting, and pain free method on an outpatient basis, with long-term duration of effects without anesthesia or cystoscopy procedure. This novel delivery system resulted in considerable improvement in urinary incontinence and urodynamic study parameters in patients with refractory NDO.