Onabotulinumtoxin a injection with or without hydrodistension for treatment of bladder pain syndrome

Introduction Onabotulinumtoxin A (BoNT-A) injection has been used for bladder pain syndrome (BPS) treatment with good results. Our aim was to assess the efficacy and safety of BoNT-A injection with or without hydrodistension (HD). Methods Retrospective analysis of patients treated with BoNT-A injection with or without HD because of BPS between 2008 and 2014 in our department. One hundred U of Botox® was injected in the trigone and 100 U in the bladder wall. Follow-up included a VAS of pain (0–10), a patient satisfaction scale (0–10) and a treatment benefit scale (1–2: response to treatment; 3–4: non-response to treatment). Complications were classified according to the Clavien-Dindo (CD) classification. BoNT-A retreatment was offered at the patient’s request. Reasons for non-retreatment request were collected. Postoperative outcomes were compared between BoNT-A and BoNT-A + HD. Results Forty-one patients were included (39 females, 2 males), median age: 73 years (69–78.5). Reduction in VAS, postoperative VAS = 0, satisfaction with surgery and responders to treatment were significantly higher after BoNT-A + HD ( n = 26) than after BoNT-A ( n = 15). Eleven (26.8%) complications (CD ≤ 2) were detected, with no differences between treatment groups. Mean follow-up was 153 (± 83) months. Twelve (46.2%) patients in the BoNT-A + HD group and seven (46.7%) patients in the BoNT-A group requested retreatment. Lack of severe pain was a common reason for treatment discontinuation. Conclusion BoNT-A injection could represent a safe and effective BPS treatment. BoNT-A + HD seems to be better than BoNT-A alone for pain relief, with no significant additional morbidity.