Intravesical electromotive drug administration for the treatment of non-infectious chronic cystitis

Seventeen patients with non-infectious chronic cystitis (NICC) (9 with interstitial cystitis, 6 patients with radiation cystitis, 1 with chemocystitis and 1 with lupoid cystitis) were treated with electromotive administration of intravesical lidocaine and dexamethasone followed by hydrodistension of the bladder. Complete resolution of symptoms for an average of 7.5 months was observed in 11 patients (65%), partial improvement in 4 (23.5%). In this series no complications occurred. Electromotive drug administration (EMDA) and cystodistension were well tolerated by all patients. The treatment was performed on an outpatient basis, thus reducing therapeutic costs. The results presented demonstrate that the combination of EMDA and bladder hydrodistension is an effective first-line treatment for NICC patients. EDITORIAL COMMENT: Electromotive drug administration is a new therapy being evaluated by these researchers for non-infectious chronic cystitis (interstitial and radiation-induced cystitis). Traditional drugs and hydrodistension are used with the addition of this new modality. Randomized controlled trials are necessary to see if the initially good results of 65% cure can be confirmed.