Sacral nerve stimulation for idiopathic chronic non-obstructive urinary retention

The condition

Idiopathic chronic non‑obstructive urinary retention is an inability to completely empty your bladder. This may mean you find it difficult to start urination, or when you do, you may not be able to completely empty your bladder. Non‑obstructive urinary retention means that there is no physical obstruction to the urine flow. Idiopathic means that the cause is not known.

In men, the first treatments tried are usually drugs, such as alpha blockers, followed by surgery to stretch the urethra if drugs don't work. In women, surgery to stretch the urethra is usually the first treatment. If these treatments don't work, further surgery may be needed.

NICE has looked at using sacral nerve stimulation as another treatment option.