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Axonics Sacral Nerve Modulation for Bladder Control Urologist - Dr. Angelo Gousse, MD
Real People. Real Results.
Overactive bladder (OAB), also known as overactive bladder syndrome, is a condition where there is a frequent feeling of needing to void to a degree that it negatively affects a person’s quality of life. The frequent need to urinate may occur during the day, at night, or both. Frequent urination at night is called nocturia. When there is loss of bladder control associated with a strong and compelling urge to urinate it is known as urge incontinence OAB wet. Other patients only have urinary urgency and frequency but do not experience leakage (OAB dry). More than 40% of patients with overactive bladder have incontinence. The condition is chronic. Therefore, most patients have this problem for the remaining of their life.
If you suffer from any of the symptoms of overactive bladder, you’re not alone. It is estimated that more than 33 million Americans suffer from OAB. If you are not responding to the oral medications (antimuscarinics) or having side effects from them sacral neurostimulation (Axonics Sacral Nerve Modulation) may be an option to help you regain bladder control.
The uniqueness of Axonics Sacral Nerve Modulation is that it offers a trial period before the device is implanted. The trial assessment takes 3 to 7 days and lets you try neurostimulation to see if it is right for you without making a long-term commitment. Dr Gousse will help you determine whether neurostimulation is right for you. The treatment is designed to minimize the symptoms of overactive bladder.
The exact mechanism by which Axonics Sacral Nerve Modulation works is not known. The first stage of the procedure (called peripheral sacral nerve evaluation (PNE) may be performed in the office or the operating room, depending on the case. Dr Gousse will numb a small skin area and insert a thin, flexible wire in your sacral nerves (near your tailbone).
During the PNE, you will be awake in order the guide proper placement. You will be asked where you feel the nerve stimulation in your body. Dr Gousse will also note some muscle contractions in your body to guide proper placement. Typically, you will be in the prone position (lying on your stomach). This position allows access to the tail bone and anal area.
Once proper placement is confirmed, the electrical wire is taped to your skin and connected to a small external stimulator (resembling a large beeper) which you’ll wear on your waistband.
The external stimulator sends mild electrical pulses through the wire to a sacral nerve. Electrical shock or severe nerve damage associated with the therapy has virtually never been reported. The stimulation may help improve your bladder function or get it working the way it’s supposed to.
During the trial assessment, you can continue many of your daily activities with caution. You can usually continue to work throughout your trial assessment if your job doesn’t require strenuous movement. You’ll be asked to document your urinary symptoms which led to the implant. If your symptoms are significantly reduced or eliminated during the trial, you and Dr Gousse can discuss long-term neurostimulation therapy. Dr Gousse or nurse will give you information about operating the test stimulator. He or she will also tell you about any precautions or activity restrictions related to the trial assessment.
Long-term sacral nerve stimulation therapy involves placement of an implantable pulse generator-battery (the size of stop watch) under the fatty tissues of the upper buttock area. Typically this step (step 2, battery implant), done only after the trial test (step 1) is shown to be successful, is performed in the operating room under local or general anesthesia. The half life of the battery varies according to usage and type and may last 3 to 8 years. Once the entire system is in place, there are no visible wires or batteries outside of the body. One can regain a normal life without limitations. A few patients may experience discomfort at the battery implant site.
Overactive bladder syndrome is a common medical condition of the bladder. It causes a person to have to urinate frequently and randomly. They are no longer able to hold their urine until they can reach the bathroom.
There are two types of overactive bladder conditions: OAB wet and OAB dry. Both conditions cause you to lose control of your bladder while you have a strong urge to urinate. The difference is that OAB dry does not result in urine leakage, while OAB wet does result in it.
Incontinence is a common symptom of overactive bladder syndrome. There is no permanent way to get rid of incontinence or overactive bladder. All you can do is treat it with the latest advancements in bladder control technology and technique.
Treatment Options
Dr. Angelo Gousse has conducted extensive research into overactive bladder syndrome and incontinence. His research studies resulted in discovering a technologically advanced bladder control treatment called Axonics Sacral Nerve Modulation.
Axonics Sacral Nerve Modulation applies neurostimulation to the sacral nerve of the bladder. The sacral nerve is responsible for controlling the urinary muscles, including the bladder, pelvic floor and bowels. Since overactive bladder syndrome originates from a sacral nerve lacking in stimulation, this treatment works out just fine.
Dr. Gousse will suggest trying prescribed oral medications before attempting this advanced treatment. Some patients show improvement after consuming a simple prescription of antimuscarinics. But in cases where the medication is not effective or causing unwanted side effects, the doctor will recommend Axonics Sacral Nerve Modulation as a better alternative for regaining bladder control.
Do you want to find out more information? Call (305) 606-7028 and contact us here to make an appointment
How It Works
Axonics Sacral Nerve Modulation is first administered for a trial period of 3 to 7 days. Dr. Gousse will conduct a peripheral sacral nerve evaluation on you in his office. He will administer minor electrical pulses to your sacral nerve using a very thin wire. The results of the neurostimulation will get monitored closely.
If the electrical pulses end up helping you control your bladder function, then an electrical pulse generator will be implanted underneath the fatty tissues of your buttocks. The generator offers long-term bladder control without the need for a wire to be connected to your sacral nerve in the doctor’s office. It runs on a battery, which also gets implanted too. You’ll only have to go back to the doctor periodically to get the battery replaced.
Learn more details about Axonics Sacral Nerve Modulation by calling (305) 606-7028 and contact us here to make an appointment.
Dr. Gousse: The Bladder Control Specialist
Dr. Gousse is one of the nation’s leading bladder control specialists. His research into advanced bladder control techniques led to the discovery of Axonics Sacral Nerve Modulation and its level of effectiveness on patients with bladder malfunction.
Dr. Gousse founded Gousse Urology and the Bladder Health & Reconstructive Urology Institute because he wanted to invent new ways to improve people’s bladder health and functionality. His over 25 years of experience led to several urological breakthroughs and techniques never used before by other urologists.
Axonics Sacral Nerve Modulation and Botox treatments are his two most significant discoveries for controlling bladder function. Dr. Gousse has made dozens of contributions to urologic and scientific journals. He has lectured and mentored other urologists worldwide and taught them about the use of Axonics Sacral Nerve Modulation for bladder control.
Visit Our South Florida Clinics
Do you want to find out whether you’re a prime candidate for Axonics Sacral Nerve Modulation? Call (305) 606-7028 and contact us here to make an appointment to visit one of our three offices in South Florida. We have offices in Miami-Dade County, Palm Beach County, and Broward County.
