Self-catheterization acquisition after hand reanimation protocols in C5-C7 tetraplegic patients.
METHODS
Case series from a prospectively acquired database and phone survey.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy of upper limb reanimation (ULR) protocols on acquisition of intermittent self-catheterization (ISC) in C5-C7 ASIA tetraplegic patients.


METHODS
University Hospital, Paris, France.


METHODS
A prospectively acquired database of 152 tetraplegic patients followed in ULR consultation between 1997 and 2008 in a rehabilitation unit was studied. A total of 20 patients met the inclusion criteria, which mainly were traumatic C5-C7 tetraplegic adult patients who were unable to perform ISC, and who benefited from ULR with the objectives of improving hand abilities and of ISC acquisition, through urethral orifice for males or via a continent urinary stoma for females. The main outcome measure was ISC acquisition (ISC+) proportion. Population characteristics and secondary outcome measures: ISC+/ISC- patients were compared regarding epidemiological and surgical data, key-grip strength, patient global improvement score, activities of daily living and quality of life (PGI-I, Wuolle questionnaire, verbal rating scale).


RESULTS
ISC+ was 75%. It depended on key-grip strength (P<0.05) and led to a statistically significant improvement of urinary status compared with ISC- patients (P<0.01). ULR improved patients' abilities and QoL in both ISC+ and ISC- patients.


CONCLUSIONS
ULR protocols allow ISC in most C5-C7 tetraplegic patients. Multidisciplinary care with surgeons and PRM physicians improves patients' vital and functional prognosis by changing their urological-management method.
Bernuz
B
B
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Raymond Poincare University Hospital, APHP, Versailles University, Garches, France. b.bernuz@leonberard.com
Guinet
A
A
Rech
C
C
Hugeron
C
C
Even-Schneider
A
A
Denys
P
P
Barbot
F
F
Chartier-Kastler
E
E
Revol
M
M
Laffont
I
I
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand / Q000294:innervation / Q000503:physiopathology; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000294:innervation / Q000503:physiopathology; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013709:Tendon Transfer / Q000379:methods*; D001750:Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D014546:Urinary Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*