[Bladder atonia and cystitis following radical surgery for rectal cancer]

Atonia of the urinary bladder and cystitis are known to be complications of high incidence resulting from radical operations for rectal carcinoma. The authors have established atonia of the urinary bladder to develop after the most traumatic operations of the abdomino-perineal extirpations of the rectum. The urinary bladder atonia is found to result from a disturbance of parasympathetic innervation and development of posttraumatic pericystitis. Electrostimulation of the urinary bladder in combination with antibacterial therapy is recommended for the treatment of atonia and cystitis.