[Urodynamic results of the treatment of urinary incontinence with peripheral electric stimulation].

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the urodynamic results achieved by electrostimulation in patients with different types of urinary incontinence. METHODS: 37 patients (32 females and 5 males) with urinary incontinence were treated with peripheral electrical stimulation. The urodynamic diagnosis were: detrusor instability (24.3%), stress urinary incontinence (24.3%), mixed urinary incontinence (48.6%), and bladder hyper-reflexia (2.7%). Rectal and vaginal electrodes were utilized. The therapeutic frequencies were 10 Hz, 20 Hz and 50 Hz. RESULTS: Detrusor instability disappeared in the cases treated with the 10 Hz frequency (79%) and in one case treated with the 50 Hz frequency. A significantly increased bladder capacity and decreased first micturition sensation were observed in this patient group. All patients with stress urinary incontinence were treated with high frequency (50 Hz), which achieved positive results in 44%. In the group of patients with mixed urinary incontinence. 45% remained unchanged. Treatment failed to achieve satisfactory results in the single case of detrusor hyperreflexia in this series. CONCLUSION: Peripheral electrical stimulation is a valid alternative in the treatment of male and female incontinence. Satisfactory results were achieved with the 10 Hz frequency in 89% of the patients with bladder instability and with the 50 Hz frequency in 44% of the patients with stress urinary incontinence.