title: Selective sacral rhizotomy in the management of the reflex neuropathic bladder: a report on 17 patients with long-term followup.
abstract: During the last 6 years 24 patients with cervical or thoracic spinal cord injuries and a severe reflex neuropathic bladder underwent selective dorsal sacral rhizotomy with the aid of intraoperative neurostimulation and urodynamic monitoring. Preoperative and postoperative evaluation was available in 17 patients. Followup ranged from 2 months to 5 years (mean 32 months). Mean bladder capacity increased significantly after rhizotomy (from 148 +/- 28.1 to 377 +/- 52.9 ml., p less than 0.001), as did mean volume to first contraction (from 99 +/- 28.6 to 270 +/- 39.3 ml., p less than 0.001). No significant changes in bowel or erectile function were noted. Continence was improved in 94%, with 14 patients remaining completely dry and voiding with electrical stimulation or intermittent self-catheterization. The long-term results of selective sacral rhizotomy compare favorably to more aggressive alternatives, such as augmentation cystoplasty or urinary diversion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University of California School of Medicine, San Francisco.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Gasparini
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Tanagho
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012445:Sacrococcygeal Region; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots / Q000601:surgery*; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000379:methods; D001750:Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*