How Does Sacral Modulation Work Best? Placement and Programming Techniques to Maximize Efficacy

Since receiving approval from the US Food and Drug Administration in 1997, sacral neuromodulation (SNM) has become the recommended treatment of urinary urge incontinence, urgency-frequency, nonobstructive urinary retention, and fecal incontinence. The manufacturer has introduced different technical modifications while surgeons and researchers have adapted and published various innovations and alterations of the technique. This review summarizes the current knowledge and recommendations of SNM preoperative decision making, the implantation technique, and available programming parameters and algorithms based on MEDLINE research, manufacturer instructions, and the approach of an experienced neurourological team. The primary steps and technical aspects to optimize SNM efficacy were the introduction of the tined-lead electrode and the development of the InterStim II impulse generator (both developed by Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis, MN). The initiation of the staged implantation technique for sequential evaluation and implantation with the definitive quadripolar electrode completes the treatment algorithm so that an increased responder rate of SNM for all indications can be achieved

Methylene blue fluorescence of the ureter during colorectal surgery

Background Iatrogenic ureteric injury is a serious complication of colorectal surgery. Incidence is estimated to be between 0.3 and 1.5%. Of all ureteric injuries, 9% occur during colorectal procedures. Ureteric stents are utilised as a method to reduce the risk of injury; however, these are not without risk and do not guarantee prevention of injury. Fluorescence is a safe and effective alternative for intraoperative ureteric localisation. This proof of principle study aims to assess the use of methylene blue to fluoresce the ureter during colorectal surgery. Method Patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery were included in this open label, non-randomised study. Methylene blue was administered intravenously at varying doses (0.25–1 mg/kg) over 5 min, 10–15 min prior to entering ‘ureteric territory.’ Fluorescence was assessed using the PINPOINT Deep Red laparoscopic system at fixed time points by the surgeon and an independent observer. Results 42 patients received methylene blue; 2 patients were excluded from analysis. Of the 69 ureters assessed, 64 were seen under fluorescence. Of these, 14 were not visible under white light. 50 ureters were observed with both fluorescence and white light with 14 of these being seen earlier with fluorescence. In ten cases, fluorescence revealed the ureter to be in a different location than suspected. Conclusion Fluorescence is a promising method to allow visualisation of the ureter, where it is not identified easily under standard operative conditions, thereby improving safety and reducing operative time and difficulty