Sacral nerve stimulation during pregnancy: Case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Background: The use of sacral nerve stimulation during pregnancy is not recommended because of the unknown effects on the offspring. There is a paucity of literature on the subject. Case: A 25-year-old woman who had a sacral nerve stimulator for severe interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome had 2 successful pregnancies. Against medical advice, she kept the stimulator activated for symptom control during the pregnancies. The first child was later diagnosed with chronic motor tic disorder, and the second had a pilonidal sinus at birth. Whether this outcome is related to the neurostimulator is unknown. The efficacy of sacral nerve stimulation decreased after each pregnancy. Conclusion: The safety of sacral nerve stimulation in pregnancy has not been well established. Until further research is done, we recommend that women of reproductive age with a sacral nerve stimulator be advised about contraception and that the device should be deactivated before or as soon as pregnancy is confirmed. Copyright © 2012 by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.