Restoration of bladder function in spastic neuropathic bladder using sacral deafferentation and different techniques of neurostimulation.
OBJECTIVE
Conventional sacral anterior root stimulation (SARS) results in simultaneous activation of both the detrusor muscle and the external urethral sphincter. We evaluated the possibilities of different neurostimulation techniques to overcome stimulation induced detrusor-sphincter-dyssynergia and to achieve a physiological voiding.


METHODS
The literature was reviewed on different techniques of sacral anterior root stimulation of the bladder and the significance of posterior rhizotomy in patients with supraconal spinal cord injury suffering from the loss of voluntary bladder control, detrusor hyperreflexia and sphincter spasm.


RESULTS
The achievement of selective detrusor activation would improve current sacral neurostimulation of the bladder, including the principle of "poststimulus voiding". This is possible with the application of selective neurostimulation in techniques of anodal block, high frequency block, depolarizing prepulses and cold block. Nowadays, sacral deafferentation is a standard therapy in combination with neurostimulation of the bladder because in conclusion advantages of complete rhizotomy predominate.


CONCLUSIONS
The combination of sacral anterior root stimulation and sacral deafferentation is a successful procedure for restoration of bladder function in patients with supraconal spinal cord injury. Anodal block technique and cryotechnique are excellent methods for selective bladder activation to avoid detrusor-sphincter-dyssynergia and thus improve stimulation induced voiding.
Schumacher
S
S
Department of Urology, Klinikum Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Germany.
Bross
S
S
Scheepe
J R
JR
Alken
P
P
Jünemann
K P
KP
D003714:Denervation; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D006801:Humans; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000294:innervation / Q000503:physiopathology; D019051:Rhizotomy; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots / Q000503:physiopathology; D014521:Urethra / Q000294:innervation / Q000503:physiopathology; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000294:innervation / Q000503:physiopathology; D001750:Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*