Bladder onabotulinum toxin A injections and patients: Office-based vs. operating room setting

Aim:: Intravesical onabotulinum toxin A (BTX) injection is a widely recognized treatment for idiopathic detrusor overactivity (DO) and neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) refractory to adjustments in oral medications.The primary end point of our study was to evaluate patients’ comfort and tolerability with intravesical BTX treatment given in an office-based setting inside a hospital. As a secondary end point, for a subgroup of patients who had previously undergone the procedure in an operating room, we aimed to ascertain if there was any difference in patients’ preferences between the office and operating room settings. Methods:: A cross-sectional descriptive study was designed to evaluate patients’ comfort and tolerability with intravesical BTX treatment given in an office-based setting. It was based on a questionnaire investigating the patients’ overall experience during the procedure and subsequent recovery. Results:: A total of 74 consecutive patients treated between January 2016 and July 2022 were enrolled: 48 males and 26 females; the average age was 57.09 years, ranging from 23–84 years. Among them, 66.2% presented with NDO, and 33.8% with DO. Conclusions:: According to our study, intravesical BTX injections in an office-based setting inside a hospital appear to be a well-tolerated procedure. Most of the patients in our study who experienced both options finally preferred the office setting rather than the operating room. This is an important result, especially if we consider that most patients are required to repeat the treatment over time.