Effect of Transurethral Resection With Hydrodistention for the Treatment of Ulcerative Interstitial Cystitis

Purpose: Many treatment options to help relieve the symptoms of interstitial cystitis (IC) are available, but none are effective. Because no reports of transurethral ulcer resection with hydrodistention are available, we assessed the effects of such combined surgery for ulcerative IC. Materials and Methods: Between June 2006 and June 2011, 87 female patients with IC who underwent transurethral resection with hydrodistention and were followed up for at least 12 months were included. Improvements in patients' voiding symptoms and pain were analyzed retrospectively by using a 3-day micturition chart and a 10-point visual analogue scale (VAS) before and after the operation. The global response assessment (GRA) was used to assess treatment satisfaction. Results: The mean age of the 87 female patients was 59.1 +/- 10.1 years, and the mean follow-up period was 26.7 +/- 14.4 months. Mean maximum functional bladder capacity increased from 168.4 +/- 92.4 mL to 276.3 +/- 105.4 mL (1 month) and to 227.3 +/- 91.7 mL (12 months). The mean frequency of voiding decreased from 17.2 +/- 8.5 before to 10.6 +/- 5.3 after (1 month) surgery; however, it increased again to 13.3 +/- 4.8 at 12 months. The 10-point VAS score decreased from 9.1 +/- 0.8 to 1.2 +/- 0.3 (1 month); however, it increased again to 2.5 +/- 0.4 (3 months), 3.2 +/- 0.4 (6 months), and 5.3 +/- 0.5 (12 months) (p<0.001). Symptom improvement based on the GRA was observed in 83 of the 87 patients (95.4%) at 1 month and in 55 of 87 patients (63.2%) at 12 months. Conclusions: Transurethral resection with hydrodistention is an effective treatment option for ulcerative IC because it provides improvements in voiding symptoms and pain.