J02 -- January 2009 -- Bladder Pacemaker

Intro: It's not something many people like to talk about, but urinary incontinence is a big issue. UP to 30% of all women suffer from it, and those who do know how embarrassing having an accident can be. Medications may work for some women, but for those who don't find relief with meds, there is another option. An implant that acts like a pacemaker for your bladder. More from Mayo Clinic.

"BRING A ROUND TABLE IN..."

THE HOTEL BUSINESS KEEPS SHARON CROW HOPPING.

"IT'S ALWAYS THIS BUSY."

SO YOU CAN IMAGINE HOW INCONVENIENT IT WOULD BE TO HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT LEAKING URINE DURING THE WORK DAY.

"IT'S EMBARRASSING, AND IT WOULDN'T JUST BE THAT I'D MESS MY CLOTHES UP. THERE WOULD BE THIS LITTLE TRAIL."

YOU SEE, SHARON HAS WHAT'S CALLED BLADDER RETENTION THAT CAUSES INCONTINENCE. URINE BUILDS UP IN HER BLADDER BECAUSE THE NERVES WERE DAMAGED DURING A SURGERY 15 YEARS AGO. SHE CAN'T FEEL WHEN SHE HAS TO GO UNTIL IT'S TOO LATE.

"IT WAS STIFLING MY LIFESTYLE AND MAKING ME STRESSED OUT."

FRUSTRATED, SHE WENT TO MAYO CLINIC TO SEE DR. JEFFREY CORNELLA.

"THE BEST OPTION FOR HER WAS SOMETHING THAT WE CALL NEURO-MODULATION."

BASICALLLY, IT'S A PACE MAKER FOR THE BLADDER. TO IMPLANT THE DEVICE DR. CORNELLA PLACES IT NEAR THE PELVIC BONE. HE THEN RUNS A WIRE LEAD TO THE SACRUM WHERE THE BLADDER NERVES ARE LOCATED. WHEN TURNED ON, ELECTRONIC PULSES STIMULATE THE NERVES AND ALLOW THE BLADDER TO WORK MORE NORMALLY.

"THERE HAVE BEEN EXAMPLES OF PATIENTS WHO WE HAVE OPERATED ON WHO HAVE NOT VOIDED FOR YEARS, AND WITHIN A DAY THEY WILL BE ABLE TO EMPTY THEIR BLADDER AFTER PLACING A STIMULATING DEVICE."

"I DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT ACCIDENTS ANYMORE."

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 15 YEARS, SHARON SAYS SHE FEELS NORMAL.

"NORMAL, THAT'S THE ONLY THING I CAN TELL YOU, JUST NORMAL."

FOR MEDICAL EDGE, I'M VIVIEN WILLIAMS.

Anchor tag: Dr. Cornella says this device has been FDA approved for use for three types of incontinence: urinary frequency or urgency, urgency incontinence, and retention.

Studies show the device works for about 70% of patients. So to be sure it will work, Dr. Cornella places a temporary device in for two weeks for a test run before implanting the permanent device.

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