• Hae Min Jo, Hyo Sung Kim, Yun-Woo Cho, and Sang-Ho Ahn.
• Yeungnam University School of Medicine and College of Medicine, Korea.
• Pain Physician. 2016 Jul 1; 19 (6): 373-80.

BackgroundLittle research has been expended on the use of bipolar radiofrequency (RF) lesioning of sacral nerves in spinal cord injured (SCI) patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO), and no study has been undertaken to demonstrate its long-term effect.ObjectiveTo investigated the effect of bipolar RF ablation of the second and third sacral nerves over 2 years in SCI patients with NDO.Study DesignA prospective, randomized controlled feasibility study.SettingThe outpatient clinic of a single academic medical center in Korea.MethodsTen SCI patients with NDO were recruited. These patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups; the intervention group (n = 5) and the control group (n = 5). Control group members received optimized conventional treatment. International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire (ICIQ), 3-day voiding diary, and the urinary incontinence quality of life scale (I-QOL) data were obtained at baseline and at 6, 12, and 24 months after intervention. Urodynamic study (UDS) was performed at baseline and 24 months after intervention. In the intervention group, percutaneous bipolar RF neurotomy was performed on both S2 and S3 nerves in each patient.ResultsFrequency of urinary incontinence and ICIQ and IQOL scores showed significant effects for time and for the group x time interaction (P < 0.05). Daily mean volume of urinary incontinence showed only a significant group effect. In UDS parameters, comparisons of values at baseline and at 24 months revealed all variables showed significant intergroup differences (P < 0.05).LimitationA small number of patients was recruited.ConclusionPercutaneous bipolar RF ablation of sacral nerves S2 and S3 effectively reduces urinary incontinence and improves quality of life (QoL) in SCI patients with NDO and the effects lasted over 2 years.

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