Sacral neuromodulation in Canada?

[playethic]

This March 2011 research study seems to show incredibly positive relief results with sacral & improved symptoms.
This makes me want to look into it... anyone know the status / ease of getting this in Canada?
Lisa

http://www.jurology.com/article/S0022-5347(10)04933-5/abstract

'Long-Term Outcome and Surgical Interventions After Sacral Neuromodulation Implant for Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms: 14-Year Experience at 1 Center:

Few reports address the reoperation rate after sacral neuromodulation implants. We report our long-term results and reoperations during our 14-year experience with sacral neuromodulation at our center.

Materials and Methods
We retrospectively reviewed the patient database at our center to assess the long-term outcome, incidence and cause of surgical re-intervention after InterStim® sacral neuromodulation implantation for lower urinary tract dysfunction between 1994 and 2008.

Results
A total of 96 sacral neuromodulation devices were implanted in 88 women and 8 men. Indications for implantation were bladder pain syndrome in 47.9% of cases, urgency urinary incontinence in 35.4% and idiopathic urinary retention in 16.7%. The explantation rate was 20.8% and median time to removal was 18.5 months. Reasons for explantation in all subgroups were poor result in 12 patients, painful stimulation in 6 and radiation of stimulation to the leg in 2. Median long-term followup was 50.7 months. The long-term success rate was 87.5%, 84.8% and 73% in patients with idiopathic urinary retention, urgency urinary incontinence and bladder pain syndrome, respectively. Overall 39% of patients needed revision of the sacral neuromodulation implant. The main reason for revision was loss of stimulation in 58.5% of cases. The revision rate decreased with the introduction of the tined lead technique from 50% using lead Model 3092 to 31% using lead Model 3893 (Medtronic, Minneapolis, Minnesota). The battery was changed in 8 patients. Mean battery life was 101.8 months.

Conclusions
Sacral neuromodulation is a minimally invasive procedure with a good long-term outcome. The reoperation rate has improved with advances in surgical technique and equipment.

[DebbieB]

Hi,
I am one that has had wonderful success with the InterStim Implant , have had since 1999 ...
Debbie

[bladder]

Interstim in Calgary

I have been given a package with all the info about interstim being performed in Calgary. I am in Northern BC so the commute may not be what I want. My GP knows little about Interstim so I wouldn't have a support system in my own town. Still very apprehensive about going through with it...PM me if you want to chat.

Kris