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Treatment of unstable bladder
1Department of Urology, University of California School of Medicine, San Francisco.
Urology
|January 1, 1991
Summary
Sacral nerve stimulation using implanted electrodes effectively treated urinary incontinence in two spinal cord injury patients. This neurostimulation technique suppressed involuntary voiding while preserving normal bladder emptying.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Urology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Spinal cord injuries, particularly at the T-12 level, can lead to neurogenic bladder dysfunction, including urinary incontinence.
- Patients often experience detrusor overactivity and impaired voluntary sphincter control, significantly impacting quality of life.
Observation:
- Two patients with T-12 spinal cord injuries and resultant urinary incontinence were evaluated.
- Urodynamic testing revealed spontaneous detrusor activity and weakness in the voluntary sphincter mechanism.
Findings:
- Implantation of sacral nerve electrodes (S3 foramen) and subsequent neurostimulation achieved effective sphincter closure.
- This intervention successfully suppressed incontinence caused by involuntary detrusor contractions.
Implications:
- Sacral neurostimulation offers a viable therapeutic approach for managing urinary incontinence in spinal cord injury patients.
- The findings highlight the potential of neurostimulation to restore bladder control without compromising voiding function.