title: Balloon dilatation of the external urethral sphincter in the treatment of detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia.
abstract: Balloon dilatation of the external urethral sphincter was introduced in our unit in 1990 as an alternative to sphincterotomy in the surgical management of detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia in spinally injured patients. The initial results with the technique looked promising. We performed 14 balloon dilatations in the period 1990-1993, and these patients have been followed up for 8-68 months (mean 55.5). The procedure was effective in relieving symptoms and had a low morbidity. Sphincter activity assessed at cystoscopy was initially abolished in all patients. Vesicoureteric reflux present in one patient pre-operatively resolved after the procedure. However the long-term results are disappointing, with an 85% failure rate (62% within 1 year). Balloon dilatation in our series has a lower success rate than both sphincterotomy and sphincter stenting and cannot be recommended for the treatment of detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia.
authors.affiliation: Spinal Injuries Unit, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, Middlesex, UK.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: McFarlane
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Foley
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Shah
mesh_terms: D002404:Catheterization; D006801:Humans; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014521:Urethra; D014555:Urination Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D014563:Urodynamics / Q000502:physiology