To show the value of placing bilateral sacral nerve stimulators in patients diagnosed with interstitial cystitis with the symptoms of frequency, urgency, and pain.

A retrospective chart review was performed of patients who had had bilateral S3 stimulators placed during a 6-month period. At consultation immediately before undergoing the procedure and on subsequent postoperative visits, these patients completed the Urinary Distress Inventory short form and voiding diaries. Patients were excluded if sacroneuromodulation had been attempted to be placed previously, if patients had any identifiable neurologic deficits, or if they had any evidence of urinary retention.

The mean age of the 15 patients was 43.2 years, with a mean follow-up of 14.1 months. Student’s t test was used to compare the preoperative and postoperative values. The mean decrease in frequency and nocturia was 10.4 voids (P <0.001) and 2.6 voids (P <0.001), respectively. The change in the Urinary Distress Inventory short form showed that patients had satisfaction postoperatively (P <0.001). Four patients also noted improvement in fecal incontinence after the procedure, with a mean decrease in episodes of 2.75 (P <0.01).

The results of this study have demonstrated that patients with bilateral stimulator placement have a significant decrease in frequency and nocturia with postoperative satisfaction. Also, evidence of possible improvement in the daily episodes of fecal incontinence was demonstrated.