Long-term follow-up of patients with sacral anterior root stimulator implants.

The first 50 patients to receive a sacral anterior root stimulator for bladder control were reviewed by questionnaire in mid-1989. At that time, the follow-up period varied from 5 to 11 years, and 48 of the group were alive; 2 had died from unrelated causes. Forty-one used their implants regularly for micturition and of these, 37 were always or usually continent. Twenty-nine reported no symptomatic urinary infections in the previous year, and only 4 had 3 infections or more. Twenty-seven used their implant to assist defaecation, and 13 of 32 male users reported full implant-driven erections. Side effects are minor, except for stimulus evoked pain sensation, which prevents use of the implant in 3 of the 7 non-users. Two of the other non-users were awaiting repair of their implant faults.