Sacral nerve modulation in the treatment of chronic pelvic pain.

BACKGROUND: Chronic pelvic pain is a common condition that significantly compromises the quality of life of affected patients. Unfortunately, despite treatment procedures, the results are often ineffective and symptoms persist for years. For these reasons, the search for less aggressive treatment options with fewer negative consequences leading to minimally invasive techniques was conducted.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of sacral nerve modulation in the treatment of chronic pelvic pain. Moreover, we aimed to identify potential predictors of positive results of sacral neuromodulation through the comparison between failed and successful patients.

PATIENTS: From January 2004 to December 2009, all consecutive patients suffering from chronic pelvic pain and tested for sacral nerve modulation in three pelvic floor dedicated centers were evaluated. Severity of symptoms were analyzed by a visual analog scale (VAS) RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients (2 males; mean age, 53 years) were tested for sacral nerve modulation in the screening period and were included in the present study. The mean duration of pain was 51 months (range, 10-132 months). The mean preoperative VAS was 7.8 (range, 5-10). Previous pelvic surgery was reported in 18 patients (66.5%). Sixteen patients (59%) fulfil the successful criteria and were definitively implanted. The mean follow-up was 37 months (range, 12-71 months). The mean preoperative VAS was 8.1 (range, 6-8) and decreased to 2.1 ± 1.2 at 6-month follow-up (p < 0.0001), to 2.1 ± 1.1 at 12 months (16 patients), to 2.0 ± 1.2 at 24 months (13 patients), to 2.3 ± 1.4 at 36 months (9 patients), to 2.1 ± 1.5 at 48 months (5 patients), and to 1.9 ± 1.3 at 60 months (3 patients).

CONCLUSIONS: Sacral neuromodulation proved to be effective in the treatment of some patients affected by chronic pelvic pain, and the effect persists over time. A positive screening phase and a positive response to gabapentin or pregabalin showed to be predictors of a successful response. Multiple localizations of pelvic pain and pain occurred after stapler surgery seem to be negative factors for the success of the treatment.