[Bladder stimulation of patients with spinal injuries]

Electric stimulation of the bladder through eight electrodes was performed in 7 patients suffering from innervation disturbances of various origin. In one case the device had to be removed because of endocarditis and sepsis after 8 months. In 6 cases the result was satisfactory as the patients were capable of emptying their bladder without catheterization. By abolishing vesico-ureteral reflux, recurrent pyelonephritis is eliminated, consequently life expectancy greatly improves. The method is believed to be suitable mainly in cases of peripheral bladder paralysis. In cases of central paralysis, the fibrosis of the bladder neck calls for additional interventions such as transurethral resection.