Prospective comparison of external sphincter prosthesis placement and external sphincterotomy in men with spinal cord injury.

The effectiveness and complications of the treatment of detrusor-external sphincter dyssynergia (DESD) and voiding pressure > 60 mm H2O using an endoluminal urethral sphincter prosthesis (Urolume) were compared with those of conventional external sphincterotomy in 46 men with spinal cord injury (SCI) (mean age 34 years; range 18-58 years). Twenty-six patients elected the Urolume, and 20 chose sphincterotomy. The age and level and duration of SCI were similar in the two groups. Follow-up ranged from 6 to 20 months. After prosthesis placement, voiding pressure dropped from 88 +/- 29 cm H2O to 38 +/- 22 cm H2O at 6 months (n = 23) and 35 +/- 16 cm H2O at 12 months (n = 18) (P < 0.001). The residual urine volume fell from 180 +/- 145 mL preoperatively to 85 +/- 125 mL at 12 months (P < 0.001), while the maximum cystometric capacity remained constant (P = 0.75). External sphincterotomy achieved similar statistically significant decreases in voiding pressure and residual urine volume, and bladder capacity was maintained. The preoperative and follow-up urodynamic measures were similar in the two groups. Prosthesis placement was associated with a significantly shorter operation (P = 0.001) and length of hospitalization (P = 0.01), a lower hospitalization cost (P = 0.01), and less bleeding (change in hemoglobin concentration) (P = 0.01) than external sphincterotomy. The complications of stent insertion were device migration (n = 4) and secondary bladder neck obstruction (n = 2). One patient with continuing reflux required bilateral ureteral implantation. The complications of sphincterotomy were bleeding necessitating transfusion (n = 2), recurrent obstruction (n = 2), and erectile dysfunction (n = 1). The sphincter prosthesis is as effective as sphincterotomy in the treatment of DESD, while being technically easier, less morbid, and less expensive.

Prospective comparison of external sphincter balloon dilatation and prosthesis placement with external sphincterotomy in spinal cord injured men.

The purpose of our investigation was to compare external sphincterotomy, the traditional method of treatment of detrusor-external sphincter dyssynergia (DESD), with two newer methods, balloon dilatation or internal stenting of the external sphincter. Sixty-one spinal cord injured (SCI) men were prospectively evaluated. The indications for treatment were DESD and voiding pressure greater than 60 cmH2O demonstrated during video-urodynamic study. Twenty patients were treated with balloon dilatation of the external sphincter, 26 with an internal stent prosthesis, and 15 with traditional external sphincterotomy. Age and duration of SCI were similar among the three treatment groups. A significant decrease in both voiding pressure and residual urine from presurgery levels persisted during the follow-up period of 3 to 26 months (mean, 15 months) in all three groups. Bladder capacity remained constant, renal function improved or stabilized, and autonomic dysreflexia (AD) improved in all three groups. Balloon dilatation and prosthesis placement are associated with a significantly shorter length of surgery (p = 0.045), length of hospitalization (p = 0.005), decrease in hospitalization cost (p = 0.01), and decrease in hemoglobin postoperatively (p = 0.046) when compared to external sphincterotomy. Complications of stent insertion included device migration (three patients) and secondary bladder neck obstruction (two patients). In the balloon dilatation group, three recurrent sphincter obstructions, one case of bleeding requiring transfusion, and one case of bulbous urethral stricture occurred. After external sphincterotomy, two patients developed recurrent obstruction, two required blood transfusion, and 1 patient noted erectile dysfunction. Balloon dilatation and prosthesis placement both proved to be as effective as external sphincterotomy in the treatment of DESD.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Flexible cystoscopy during urodynamic evaluation of spinal cord-injured patients.

Eighty-one consecutive flexible cystoscopic examinations were performed on 69 patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) at the time of their urodynamic study. The indications for cystoscopy included hematuria, recurrent urinary tract infections, symptoms of bladder outlet obstruction, the presence of an intraurethral sphincter stent requiring evaluation, neurogenic vesical dysfunction requiring endourodynamic study (cystometrogram through the working port of the flexible cystoscope), or bladder calculi. Flexible cystoscopy was accomplished in all patients, whether lying supine or seated in a wheelchair (N = 16). Only 6 of 39 patients with previous episodes of autonomic dysreflexia became hypertensive during cystoscopy. When a urodynamic catheter could not be inserted, the flexible cystoscope was particularly useful in defining the urethral anatomy or obstruction and in performing endourodynamic evaluation. The only complication was the development of febrile urinary tract infection in four patients. The flexible cystoscope is a valuable tool in the urodynamic laboratory caring for patients with SCI and is effective for use in endourodynamics, especially when patient positioning or catheter placement is difficult. The procedure is well tolerated, causes minimal stimulation leading to the development of autonomic dysreflexia, and provides accurate cystometric data.

Bladder augmentation using the stomach in spinal cord injured patients with impaired renal function.

A small capacity, poorly compliant neurogenic bladder is a difficult problem in spinal cord injured patients. Bladder augmentation with intermittent catheterization offers an alternative to indwelling catheterization. Ileum, cecum, and sigmoid colon have been most commonly used for enterocystoplasty but may, however, cause hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis in patients with impaired renal function. This can be prevented by performing a gastric augmentation. We present two cases of gastrocystoplasty in spinal cord injured patients with a small capacity, poorly compliant neurogenic bladder, impaired renal function, vesicoureteral reflux, and recurrent febrile urinary tract infections. Both patients had bilateral ureteral reimplantations during the surgery. One of the patients, a women, had a destroyed urethral sphincter secondary to long-term Foley that was repaired with a concurrent pubovaginal sling. Follow-up ranges from 12 to 18 months and both patients are continent with intermittent catheterization and have bladder capacities over 500 mL. Neither patient had deterioration in renal function or changes in serum electrolytes. Both patients maintain a slightly acidic urine and neither patient has had a clinically apparent urinary tract infection.