title: Experience with the Brindley anterior sacral root stimulator.
abstract: Brindley anterior sacral root stimulators have been implanted into 22 spinal cord injured patients from the spinal injury units in Cardiff and Sheffield. The group comprised 20 men and 2 women (15 paraplegics and 7 tetraplegics); 16 patients are using the implant, of whom 11 (68%) are continent. Of the remaining 5, 4, who empty completely, are incontinent because of inability to use the implant with sufficient frequency; 6 patients are not using their implant, though 4 are continent. Of 11 patients with detrusor/sphincter dyssynergia, sphincterotomy was necessary in 3 patients before implantation and in a further 3 after implantation. Of 4 patients with abnormal upper tracts prior to implantation, 2 resolved and 2 deteriorated, in the presence of dyssynergia; 1 patient developed hydronephrosis after implantation, having previously had normal upper tracts. Although erectile function with the stimulator was clinically adequate in 6 patients, in no patient has intercourse been achieved because of concurrent lower limb spasm.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Cardiff Royal Infirmary, Sheffield.
authors.forename: L Q
authors.initials: LQ
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grant
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Weston
authors.forename: T P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Stephenson
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lucas
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Thomas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000503:physiopathology; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000628:therapy*