The efficacy of bladder distention therapy in the treatment of frequency and urgency.

BACKGROUND

The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate whether bladder distention therapy is effective in relieving the symptoms of patients experiencing urinary frequency and urgency.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-six female patients with a history of frequency and urgency who underwent multi-channel urodynamic assessment, were treated with bladder distention therapy for symptomatic relief of their symptoms. Their mean age was 51 years of age (range from 28 to 75 years old). No patient had detrusor-urethral sphincter dyssynergia. Bladder distention therapy was performed in the operating theatre under epidural anesthesia. Statistical analysis was performed with the Student's t-test.

RESULTS

The treatment was successful in 9 out of 26 patients after the first attempt (34.6%) and in 10 out of 26 patients after the second attempt (38%) at 1 month follow-up (FLU) and in 4 out of 28 patients at 9 months FLU (15%). Only one out of four patients who had this treatment twice showed improvement of her symptoms.

CONCLUSION

Bladder distention therapy in patients with symptoms of overactive bladder dysfunction has a very small success rate (15%) and therefore, has no place in the modern treatment of bladder dysfunction.