Sacral root stimulation in controlled micturition. Peripheral somatic neurotomy and stimulated voiding

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Neuroscience
• Animal Models

Background:

• Sacral ventral root stimulation shows moderate success for bladder emptying.
• Spinal reflexes can maintain sphincteric resistance despite root stimulation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate methods for reducing outlet resistance for improved bladder emptying.
• To compare the efficacy of different nerve sectioning techniques.

Main Methods:

• Acute canine experiments involving sacral ventral root stimulation.
• Peripheral somatic neurotomy followed by ventral root stimulation.
• Comparison of unilateral pudendal nerve sectioning versus selective S2 somatic fiber sectioning.

Main Results:

• Both unilateral pudendal nerve sectioning and selective S2 somatic fiber sectioning significantly reduced outlet resistance.
• Selective nerve sectioning preserved more nerve pathways for reflexogenic erection.

Conclusions:

• Selective nerve sectioning of S2 somatic fibers is an effective method to reduce outlet resistance.
• This technique offers an advantage over pudendal nerve sectioning by preserving erection pathways.