Complications of intravesical oxybutynin chloride therapy in the pediatric myelomeningocele population.

PURPOSE: We report our experience with the intravesical administration of oxybutynin chloride with particular focus on the incidence and characterization of untoward effects and inconvenience of therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1990 to 1995, 23 children 5 to 11 years old with myelodysplasia were treated with intravesical oxybutynin chloride. Initial dose was 1.25 mg. in 5 cc sterile water instilled during routine catheterization 3 times daily, which was increased as tolerated and clinically indicated. Oral anticholinergic, antispasmodic and sympathomimetic medications were discontinued during therapy. We reviewed therapeutic indications, doses, frequency duration, reason for discontinuation and untoward effects. Patients/parents were surveyed for convenience of treatment as well as side effects and their timing with respect to drug administration and dose. RESULTS: In 15 patients (65%) treatment was discontinued and oral formulations were resumed or other therapy was required due to side effects, ineffectiveness or inconvenience. Seven patients had untoward effects, ranging from facial flushing and dizziness to agoraphobia and hyperactivity. Six patients discontinued therapy due to side effects after 1 day to 2 years (mode 1 month) at doses of 1.25 to 5 mg., including 5 who previously had side effects from oral oxybutynin chloride. Inconvenience of therapy was noted irrespective of the degree of independence of the child for performing intravesical therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Untoward effects and inconvenience are the most common reasons for discontinuing intravesical oxybutynin chloride therapy for neurogenic bladder dysfunction. Children who previously had side effects from oral oxybutynin chloride are more likely to have them during intravesical therapy.

Selective sacral rhizotomy for the management of neurogenic bladders in spina bifida patients: long-term followup.

Selective sacral rhizotomy was introduced for the management of high pressure neurogenic bladders commonly encountered in myelodysplastic patients. In 1992, 2 of us (I.F. and W.K.) first reported results with selective sacral rhizotomy and cord untethering in 8 spina bifida patients. We report long-term followup of our original 8 patients and 3 additional patients. This followup demonstrates remarkable success in maintaining bladder volume and low pressures after rhizotomy and cord untethering. Uninhibited contractions resolved in all patients postoperatively. A more favorable response occurred in the patients younger than 9 years, supporting early intervention with selective sacral rhizotomy.

Selective sacral rhizotomy in children with high pressure neurogenic bladders: preliminary results.

Recent successful introduction of selective rhizotomy in the management of lower extremity spasticity in patients with myelodysplasia has prompted us to use it as a means of managing high pressure neurogenic bladders occasionally encountered in myelodysplastic patients. During the last 1 1/2 years 8 children have undergone selective sacral rhizotomy in an attempt to avert urinary diversion or bladder augmentation. Patient age ranged from 6.5 to 18.5 years. The level of the respective lesions was evenly distributed throughout the spine. At spinal surgery each patient had an electrode placed in the detrusor of the bladder via a suprapubic approach, electromyography electrodes were placed in the perineum and slow fill water cystometry was performed throughout the procedure. Standard electrophysiological stimulation of the nerve roots was performed to identify the rootlets that would only affect the detrusor and spare the external sphincter. Postoperative followup has been obtained on all patients. Of the patients 4 have exhibited significant improvement and they have not required augmentation, 2 have not shown any further deterioration in bladder function, 1 has demonstrated deterioration and 1 still lacks urodynamic followup. Postoperative cystometric studies have revealed a bladder capacity increase of 69% for the group. Uninhibited bladder contractions were abated in all but 1 patient. No patient has been rendered incontinent of urine from the procedure and no patient has had a problem with stool continence as a result of the rhizotomy. It appears that selective rhizotomy of the sacral roots has been able to increase bladder capacity as well as compliance in patients who normally would have been relegated to either bladder augmentation or urinary diversion. While these are encouraging results, some further followup is required to ascertain if the early improvements will be long-lasting.