Selective sacral rhizotomy for the management of neurogenic bladders in spina bifida patients: long-term followup.
Selective sacral rhizotomy was introduced for the management of high pressure neurogenic bladders commonly encountered in myelodysplastic patients. In 1992, 2 of us (I.F. and W.K.) first reported results with selective sacral rhizotomy and cord untethering in 8 spina bifida patients. We report long-term followup of our original 8 patients and 3 additional patients. This followup demonstrates remarkable success in maintaining bladder volume and low pressures after rhizotomy and cord untethering. Uninhibited contractions resolved in all patients postoperatively. A more favorable response occurred in the patients younger than 9 years, supporting early intervention with selective sacral rhizotomy.
Schneidau
T
T
Westchester County Medical Center, Valhalla, New York, USA.
Franco
I
I
Zebold
K
K
Kaplan
W
W
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016135:Spinal Dysraphism / Q000150:complications*; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D001750:Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*