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MICHIGAN ADDITIONAL SERVICES
By offering the latest and most innovative procedures and cutting edge technology, St. Joseph Mercy Oakland provides you and your family with peace of mind and comprehensive programs and services that work. From cataract surgery to balloon sinuplasty to acid reflux, you will find that our specialists are second to none in Michigan and throughout the nation.
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CLICK HERE FOR A FREE COPY
OF THE MEDICAL REPORT
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Marko Gudziak, MD
St. Joseph Mercy Oakland
Urologist
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THE FACTS ABOUT Pelvic Nerve Stimulator
Background
There is an intricate web of muscles in the pelvic area—including
the urethral sphincters, bladder, and anal sphincter muscles. If
these muscles aren’t functioning optimally then individuals may
experience varying levels and occurrences of urinary incontinence.
According to Marko Gudziak, MD, a SJMO urologist, “Women are
especially at risk for urinary incontinence because of pelvic floor
weakness directly related to childbirth and menopause.” Those
that suffer from urinary urge incontinence (a strong sudden urge
to urinate that is often accompanied by urine leakage), urine
retention, and or urgency-frequency (urgently needing to use the
toilet and going frequently) often have to change their schedules to
accommodate their condition—resulting in a severely diminished
quality of life.
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Podcast Posted: 05/23/2008
Duration:
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Most patients can be treated with medications and behavior
modification, but some do not improve. However, there are new
advances in urology that have been providing relief. One such
procedure is the pelvic nerve stimulator. This device, about the
size of a stopwatch, is inserted beneath the skin of the lower back
and stimulates the sacral nerves prompting greater control of the
bladder, sphincter, and pelvic floor muscles.
This treatment method is a three-step process including: test
stimulation, surgical implant, and post implant follow-up.
Test stimulation: The physician and patience access the effectives
of the pelvic nerve stimulator through a diagnostic trial conducted
over several days. This trial serves as the basis for the patient and
physician to design a long-term treatment plan.
Surgical implant: If the test stimulation is successful, the stimulator
is implanted in the skin of the upper buttock. A small incision is
then made over the sacrum and a lead is placed near the sacral
nerve to influence bladder control.
Follow up: Following the implant, the stimulator is activated
and begins to send mild pulses of electricity to the sacral nerve
helping to control abnormal impulses in the nerves that cause
the incontinence.
This new procedure can help to significantly alleviate the symptoms
of urinary incontinence and overactive bladder. One study
detailing individuals using a pelvic nerve stimulator illustrates that
82% of urgency frequency patients reported a reduced degree
of urgency. After 6 months, nearly 50% of patients with urinary
urge incontinence were completely dry and approximately 75%
reported no episodes of unexpected, heavy wetting. The pelvic
nerve stimulator can also be used to treat urinary retention (the
inability to void).
As with any surgery, there is the risk of complications and or
infection. Additionally, this procedure should only be considered
when conservative options have not been effective.
Please contact the SJMO physician referral line at 800.372.6094 to
find an SJMO urologist near you.
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