The impact of prior back surgery on neuromodulation outcomes: A review of over 500 patients

AimsTo evaluate neuromodulation outcomes in patients with prior back surgery. MethodsAdults in our prospective observational sacral/pudendal neuromodulation study were retrospectively evaluated. History and operative details were reviewed, and outcomes were measured at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months with overactive bladder questionnaire (OAB q) symptom severity (SS)/health related quality of life (HRQOL), interstitial cystitis symptom/problem indices (ICSI-PI), voiding diaries, and global response assessments (GRA). Data were examined with Pearson's (2), Fisher's exact, Wilcoxon rank sum tests, and logistic regression multivariate analysis. ResultsFive hundred and sixty patients were evaluated (mean age 58.817 years; 83% female; 79% had a sacral lead placed), 109 (19%) had history of back surgery; 66 surgeries were lumbar. Back surgery patients were older (mean 63 +/- 15 vs. 58 +/- 17 years; P=0.003) and a higher proportion had urge urinary incontinence (UUI) (64% vs. 50% P=0.008). Generator implant rates were similar (94% vs. 91%; P=0.34). OABq-SS and HRQOL and ICSI-PI composite scores did not differ between groups at any time point. On bladder diaries, median incontinence episodes daily at baseline and between stages were worse in the prior back surgery group but all bladder diary parameters improved significantly in both groups with the exception of mean voided volume which only improved significantly in the non-back surgery group. Most patients in both groups reported moderate/marked improvement in overall bladder symptoms. ConclusionsThis study suggests that prior back surgery does not appear to impact clinical outcomes; therefore, neuromodulation may be offered in this patient population.