This is a new guideline from Nice advising that sacral nerve stimulation can be used to treat non obstructive idiopathic urinary retention. It may be useful for people with neurological disorders for example.
A lead is placed from the sacral nerve to a neurostimulator, which is placed under the skin. Patients can then control the neurostimulator with a hand held programmer. The neurostimulator can be used to allow the patient to void.
This can reduce the need for more invasive surgery (eg urethral dilatation) and also the need for catheterisation.