[Intravesical electrostimulation in detrusor hypocontractility]

Intravesical electrostimulation activates bladder mechanoreceptors and can induce detrusor contraction. The latency of afferent impulses indicates that myelinated A-delta fibres are used for impulse transmission. Twenty patients, of whom twelve showed acontractile, and eight hypocontractile detrusor muscles, were treated by means of intravesical electrostimulation. Prior to treatment, the average residual urine was 218 ml. Eleven out of the 20 patients on completion of the stimulation programme had a residual urine of less than 100 ml. Only four patients remain on intermittent clean catheterization, in comparison with nine patients before electrostimulation was started. Bladder sensitivity improved in 75% and detrusor contractility in 40% of the patients. No adverse effects were seen.