The mesh wallstent in the treatment of detrusor external sphincter dyssynergia in men with spinal cord injury: a 12-year follow-up

OBJECTIVE: To assess the long-term effectiveness of the UroLume trade mark wallstent (Pfizer Inc., UK) in the treatment of detrusor external sphincter dyssynergia (DESD) in quadriplegic patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twelve patients with quadriplegia secondary to spinal trauma underwent external striated sphincter stenting with the UroLume wallstent instead of an external sphincterotomy for DESD (mean age 41.8 years, range 26-65). The level of injury was C4 in two, C5 in four, C6 in four, C7 in one and T6 in one. All patients were shown by preoperative video-cystometrography (VCMG) to have DESD and high-pressure, hyper-reflexic bladders with incomplete emptying. RESULTS: Seven of the 12 patients had a mean (range) follow-up of 12.7 (12.17-13.6) years; two others were lost to follow-up at 1 and 3 years and both remained free of complications during that time. Two patients developed encrustation causing obstruction, requiring stent removal within a year of insertion. Another patient with an adequately functioning stent died 7 years after surgery (chest infection). Urodynamic follow-up of the seven patients showed a significantly sustained reduction in maximum detrusor pressure and duration of detrusor contraction at> 10 years of follow-up. Five of the seven patients developed bladder neck dyssynergia of varying degrees, as shown on VCMG; all were successfully treated with bladder neck incision. There were no problems with stent migration, urethral erosion, erectile dysfunction or autonomic dysreflexia. CONCLUSION: Permanent urethral stenting using the UroLume wallstent is effective in managing DESD and provides an acceptable long-term alternative to sphincterotomy. Subsequent bladder neck dyssynergia is the main complication but this can be managed successfully with bladder neck incision. Importantly, unlike sphincterotomy, there is no significant interference with erectile function. Also, the procedure is reversible, minimally invasive and requires a shorter hospital stay.     

Permanent external striated sphincter stents in patients with spinal injuries

Nine patients with complete quadriplegia underwent external striated sphincter stenting with the Wallstent in place of an external striated sphincterotomy. Although suprapubic catheters were placed to provide an outlet should problems develop with the stent, they were successfully removed within 6 weeks in all but 1 patient. Complete bladder emptying with reduced voiding pressures was achieved, together with a significant reduction in the duration of hyper-reflexic contractions. Epithelialisation of the stent was almost complete within 3 months and intermittent catheterisation or endoscopy (and resection) is possible through the stent. Although this is a preliminary report of this new technique, it is hoped that sphincter stenting will provide a rapid, safe and effective method of treating high pressure hyper-reflexia and detrusor sphincter dyssynergia in quadriplegic patients.     

A 20‐year follow‐up of the mesh wallstent in the treatment of detrusor external sphincter dyssynergia in patients with spinal cord injury

Study Type – Therapy (case series)
Level of Evidence 4

OBJECTIVE

To assess the long‐term (20 years) effectiveness of the UroLume wallstent^TM (Pfizer Inc., UK) in the treatment of detrusor external sphincter dyssynergia (DESD) in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Twelve patients with quadriplegia secondary to SCI underwent external striated sphincter stenting with the UroLume wallstent in place of sphincterotomy for DESD ≈ 20 years ago. The mean (range) age was 41.8 (26–65) years. Eleven patients had cervical level injury whilst one had a thoracic injury. All the patients were shown to have high‐pressure neurogenic detrusor overactivity and DESD with incomplete emptying on preoperative video‐cystometrograms (VCMG).

RESULTS

Six of the 12 patients have now been followed‐up for a mean (range) of 20 (19–21) years. Of the remaining six, two were lost to follow‐up at 1 and 3 years, but both remained free of complications during that time. Two patients developed encrustation causing obstruction, requiring stent removal within 1 year of insertion. Another patient with an adequately functioning stent died 7 years after stent insertion from a chest infection. The twelfth patient developed bladder cancer 14 years after stent insertion and underwent cystectomy with urinary diversion. VCMG follow‐up of the six patients showed a significantly sustained reduction of maximum detrusor pressure and duration of detrusor contraction at the 20‐year follow‐up. Five of these six patients developed bladder neck dyssynergia of varying degrees as shown on VCMG within the first 9 years of follow‐up. All were successfully treated with bladder neck incision (BNI) where the last BNI needed was at 12 years. We did not encounter any problem with stent migration, urethral erosion, erectile dysfunction or autonomic dysreflexia.

CONCLUSION

Urethral stenting using the UroLume wallstent is effective in the management of DESD in patients with SCI and provides an acceptable long‐term (20‐year follow‐up) alternative to sphincterotomy. The failures manifest within the first few years and can be managed easily with stent removal without any significant problems. Bladder neck dyssynergia was the long‐term complication which was treated successfully with BNI. It has no significant interference with erectile function, being reversible, minimally invasive and has a shorter hospital stay.     

Outcome after treatment of detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia by temporary stent

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate follow-up treatments used after treatment of detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia (DSD) by a temporary urethral sphincter stent. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between February 1994 and June 2003, 147 men with a mean age of 41.3+/-14.4 years were treated by temporary urethral stent inserted across the external sphincter for DSD. The underlying neurologic disease was quadriplegia in 85 cases, multiple sclerosis in 24 cases and paraplegia in 21 cases. A Nissenkorn (Bard) stent was used in 130 cases and a Diabolo (Porgès) stent was used in 17 cases. All patients were either unable to or they refused to perform intermittent self-catheterization. DSD was demonstrated by urodynamic studies in every case. RESULTS: The mean duration of temporary stenting was 10.15+/-16.07 months. After temporary stenting, 92 patients were treated by permanent stent (Ultraflex, Boston Scientifics), 7 started intermittent self-catheterization, 12 had repeated changes of the temporary stent, 4 had an indwelling catheter, 3 underwent cystectomy with non-continent diversion, 2 were treated by endoscopic sphincterotomy, 1 was treated by bladder neck incision, 1 was treated by neuromodulation and 1 was treated by cystostomy. Fifteen patients were lost to follow-up. Two patients died during follow-up (not related to DSD). CONCLUSION: After treatment of DSD by a temporary urethral sphincter stent, 70.7% of patients subsequently require a permanent urethral sphincter stent. This period allows selection of patients unlikely to benefit from permanent urethral sphincter stent.     

女性下尿路症状的尿动力学分析(附283报告)

目的 研究以下尿路症状为主诉的女性患者的尿动力学变化及其临床意义。方法女性患者．年龄6-89岁，临床表现为储尿期（刺激性）和（或）排尿期（梗阻性）症状，采用尿动力学方法检查尿流率、同步膀胱压力容积流率及肛门括约肌肌电图测定、部分同步透视下行影像尿动力学检查。结果 以排尿症状为主者86例，以储尿症状为主者197例。不稳定膀胱57例，感觉性尿急30例。神经原性膀胱尿道功能障碍32例，其中逼尿肌反射低下26例。逼尿肌反射亢进7例。逼尿肌收缩力低下26例。逼尿肌外括约肌协同失调1例。下尿路梗阻30例，其中膀胱颈梗阻6例，尿道远端狭窄11例，非神经原件逼尿肌外括约肌协同失调13例。压力性尿失禁68例，其中Ⅰ型19例，Ⅱ型12例。Ⅲ型14例，Ⅱ／Ⅲ型23例；TF常40例。结论 尿动力学检查能了解膀胱的功能状况和膀胱出口梗阻的部位，为临床治疗的选择提供了可靠的依据。     

SPHINCTERIC STENT VERSUS EXTERNAL SPHINCTEROTOMY IN SPINAL CORD INJURED MEN: PROSPECTIVE RANDOMIZED MULTICENTER TRIAL

PURPOSE: In a prospective randomized multicenter trial we compared the treatment results of conventional external sphincterotomy with those of UroLume sphincteric stent prosthesis placement in men with spinal cord injury and external detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We randomized 57 men with spinal cord injury in whom urodynamics verified external detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia into 2 groups to undergo either sphincter defeating procedure. We compared the primary urodynamic parameter of maximum detrusor pressure, and secondary urodynamic parameters of bladder capacity and post-void residual urine volume in men who underwent sphincterotomy or sphincteric stent placement. Parameters were measured preoperatively, and 3, 6, 12 and 24 months postoperatively. Patients completed questionnaires regarding voiding sensation and quality of life issues at each followup visit. RESULTS: Demographic data of the 26 patients treated with sphincterotomy and the 31 treated with sphincteric stent placement were statistically similar. Preoperatively mean maximum detrusor pressure plus or minus standard deviation in sphincterotomy and stent cases was 98.3 +/- 27.6 and 95.7 +/- 27.7 cm. water, respectively (p = 0.73). At 12 months mean maximum detrusor pressure decreased to 48.9 +/- 16.4 and 52.6 +/- 31.6 cm. water in the sphincterotomy and stent groups, respectively (p = 0). Preoperatively mean bladder capacity in sphincterotomy and stent cases was 245 +/- 158 and 251 +/- 145 ml., respectively (p = 0.87). Bladder capacity did not change significantly in either treatment group throughout followup. Preoperatively mean post-void residual urine volume in the sphincterotomy and stent groups was 212 +/- 163 and 168 +/- 114 ml., respectively (p = 0.33). Residual urine volume decreased in each group at some but not all followup evaluations. The duration of hospitalization was greater for sphincterotomy than stenting (p = 0.036). Six stents required explantation. CONCLUSIONS: The UroLume stent is as effective as conventional external sphincterotomy for treating external detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia. However, sphincteric stent placement is advantageous because it involves shorter hospitalization and is potentially reversible.     

Reversible Clinical Outcome After Sphincter Stent Removal

Purpose

We determined whether the self-expanding sphincter stent, a potential alternative to conventional external sphincterotomy for the treatment of detrusor external sphincter dyssynergia, causes a permanent effect on the lower urinary tract.

Materials and Methods

Four spinal cord injured men with voiding symptoms of detrusor external sphincter dyssynergia as noted by complete urological evaluation, including a video urodynamic study, were treated with the self-expanding sphincter stent. However, the device was explanted 6 months or longer after insertion in all 4 cases due to stent migration (3) and difficulty with condom catheter urinary drainage (1).

Results

All stents were removed completely without damage to the urethra. Mean voiding pressure decreased from 62.5 plus/minus 39.4 to 20.7 plus/minus 6.5 cm. water after sphincter stent placement. One year after stent explanation mean voiding pressure remained unchanged from preoperative values of 58.5 plus/minus 21.5 cm. water. No patient had stress urinary incontinence or endoscopically apparent urethral strictures.

Conclusions

The stent can be removed even after complete epithelialization and an extended interval without damage to external sphincter function or urethral stricture formation. The urinary sphincter stent is an effective, reversible treatment for patients with detrusor external sphincter dyssynergia.     

An artificial somatic-autonomic reflex pathway procedure for bladder control in children with spina bifida

PURPOSE: Neurogenic bladder is a major problem for children with spina bifida. Despite rigorous pharmacological and surgical treatment, incontinence, urinary tract infections and upper tract deterioration remain problematic. We have previously demonstrated the ability to establish surgically a skin-central nervous system-bladder reflex pathway in patients with spinal cord injury with restoration of bladder storage and emptying. We report our experience with this procedure in 20 children with spina bifida. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All children with spina bifida and neurogenic bladder underwent limited laminectomy and a lumbar ventral root (VR) to S3 VR microanastomosis. The L5 dorsal root was left intact as the afferent branch of the somatic-autonomic reflex pathway after axonal regeneration. All patients underwent urodynamic evaluation before and after surgery. RESULTS: Preoperative urodynamic studies revealed 2 types of bladder dysfunction- areflexic bladder (14 patients) and hyperreflexic bladder with detrusor external sphincter dyssynergia (6). All children were incontinent. Of the 20 patients 17 gained satisfactory bladder control and continence within 8 to 12 months after VR microanastomosis. Of the 14 patients with areflexic bladder 12 (86%) showed improvement. In these cases bladder capacity increased from 117.28 to 208.71 ml, and mean maximum detrusor pressure increased from 18.35 to 32.57 cm H2O. Five of the 6 patients with hyperreflexic bladder demonstrated improvement, with resolution of incontinence. Urodynamic studies in these cases revealed a change from detrusor hyperreflexia with detrusor external sphincter dyssynergia and high detrusor pressure to nearly normal storage and synergic voiding. In these cases mean bladder capacity increased from 94.33 to 177.83 ml, and post-void residual urine decreased from 70.17 to 23.67 ml. Overall, 3 patients failed to exhibit any improvement. CONCLUSIONS: The artificial somatic-autonomic reflex arc procedure is an effective and safe treatment to restore bladder continence and reverse bladder dysfunction for patients with spina bifida.     

Dyssynergic vesicourethral responses during bladder rehabilitation in spinal cord injury patients: effects of suprapubic percussion, credé method and bethanechol chloride.

Five normal men and 70 spinal cord injury male patients underwent 100 studies with the multiple pressure recording technique, incorporating the continuous infusion principle for sphincter pressure monitoring. Gross cystosphincteric dyssynergia was noted in the majority of patients with complete upper motor neuron bladders less than 2 years in duration. Some form of synergic voiding patterns was noted, mostly in patients with incomplete upper motor neuron bladders. The external sphincter tends to be synergic in late cases of upper moto neuron bladders. Internal sphincter dyssynergia is uncommon in cases of injuries less than 2 years in duration, with the exception of patients who have autonomic dysreflexia. Bladder neck obstruction seems to be more common in late lesions secondary to global hypertrophy of the bladder. Rehabilitation maneuvers and bethanechol chloride administration may exaggerate detrusor sphincter dyssynergia and injudicious use of such procedures could be detrimental to the urinary tract.     

A urethral stent for the treatment of detrusor-striated sphincter dyssynergia

OBJECTIVE: To assess the technique, efficacy and complications of the Ultraflex urethral stent (Boston Scientific Corp., Boston, MA) for the treatment of detrusor-striated sphincter dyssynergia (DSD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty consecutive patients with DSD who had a Ultraflex stent placed in the membranous urethra were evaluated prospectively. DSD was caused by spinal cord injury in 30, multiple sclerosis in six and other neurological diseases in four. All patients were either tetraplegic or paraplegic and unable to use intermittent self-catheterization. Previous bladder management consisted of an indwelling catheter in 15 patients, chronic suprapubic catheters in two, intermittent catheterization in nine, and trigger reflex micturition in 14. The Ultraflex stent was placed under local anaesthesia. The stents were 50 mm long in 36 patients, 45 mm in two and 40 mm in two. The mean (SD) follow-up was 16.9 (13. 8) months. RESULTS: The mean (SD) residual urine decreased from 245. 9 (117) mL before stenting to 65.2 (19.3) mL at 12 months afterward (n = 19). One stent was removed at 13 months for chronic prostatic and urinary tract infection leading to autonomic dysreflexia. There was no stent stenosis and 17 of 18 stents had > 75% epithelial coverage at one year. None of the stents migrated. Seven patients underwent secondary bladder neck incision through the stent. The stent length was increased in four patients using a second overlapping distal stent, twice during the first procedure and twice within 6 months because the sphincter was inadequately covered. CONCLUSIONS: The Ultraflex stent achieved the expected results for a prosthetic sphincterotomy and appears to be an appropriate but less invasive treatment for DSD.     

Sphincterotomy failure in neurogenic bladder disease

Among 60 spinal cord injury patients who underwent external urethral sphincterotomy 45 experienced success and 15 failed. Failure was established when symptomatic urinary tract infections and high vesical residuals persisted. Urodynamic findings demonstrated detrusor areflexia in 10 patients (66 per cent), detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia in 2 (13.2 per cent), detrusor hyperreflexia with unsustained bladder contractions in 1 (6.6 per cent), and detrusor hyperreflexia and bladder neck obstruction in 2 (13.2 per cent). Among these failures poor detrusor contractility predominated. Detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia may indicate an inadequate surgical relief of obstruction. Bladder neck obstruction may indicate that a bladder neck incision should be considered when an external sphincterotomy is performed.     

Detrusor overactivity in spina bifida: How long does it need to be treated?

AIMS: To determine whether a lasting therapeutic effect can be expected from long-term antimuscarinic therapy for neurogenic detrusor overactivity in spina bifida and to answer the question whether detrusor overactivity in spina bifida children with detrusor/sphincter dyssynergia is primarily based on the neuropathy or, in part, can be a secondary detrusor reaction to the functional urethral obstruction. METHODS: Fifteen spina bifida patients, aged between 1 and 12 years, all on a regime of clean intermittent catheterisation (CIC) and oxybutynin since shortly after birth, underwent three consecutive urodynamic studies (UDS). One prestudy UDS for treatment control, one UDS after withdrawal of oxybutynin for 3-5 days and one UDS after reinstallment of oxybutynin treatment. Urodynamic results were compared concerning detrusor overactivity, cystometric bladder capacity, and compliance. RESULTS: Detrusor overactivity was seen in two patients on the prestudy UDS. After several days of withdrawal of oxybutynin overactivity was seen in 11 patients. After oxybutynin withdrawal, bladder compliance was within safe margins for two patients only, after reinstallment, safe vesical pressures were seen in 11 patients. CONCLUSION: The functional obstruction due to detrusor/sphincter dyssynergia has been by-passed chronically in all these children by CIC and oxybutynin. Due to the fact that detrusor overactivity recurs immediately after withdrawal of medication after long-term treatment with oxybutynin, one can conclude that there is no long-lasting therapeutic effect of pharmacological suppression. This suggests that in children with detrusor/sphincter dyssynergia, detrusor overactivity is primarily of neuropathic origin.     

Combined transrectal ultrasonography and urodynamics in the evaluation of detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia

Thirty-one combined transrectal ultrasonographic and urodynamic studies were performed in 24 patients with spinal cord lesions at different levels between C4 and T12. Ultrasonography provided accurate real-time imaging of the bladder neck, prostatic urethra and external sphincter during the bladder filling phase as well as during the voiding phase. Bladder and rectal pressures, sphincter EMG and uroflow were recorded simultaneously. Transrectal ultrasonography contributed significantly to the accuracy of diagnosing detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia. Sphincter contractions were clearly visualised with ultrasonographic video monitoring. This imaging method was especially helpful in sorting out the problems of 3 patients with poor emptying of bladder after endoscopic sphincterotomy. One had a urethral stricture and the other 2 had sphincters that opened adequately but bladders that emptied poorly because of detrusor hypocontractility. Other problems, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia and false passage, were also easily recognised. Transrectal ultrasonography not only provides accurate information but also involves no exposure to radiation and thus precludes the need for costly lead-shielded examination rooms.     

Diagnostic discordance of electromyography (EMG) versus voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) for detrusor-external sphincter dyssynergy (DESD)

AIMS: Detrusor sphincter dyssynergia (DSD) is defined as: "a detrusor contraction concurrent with an involuntary contraction of the urethral and/or periurethral striated muscle." In neurogenic etiology, this usually refers to involuntary contraction of the external striated sphincter and has classically been termed detrusor-external sphincter dyssynergia (DESD). There is currently no consensus regarding diagnosis [specifics of electromyographic (EMG) or voiding cystourethrographic (VCUG) determination], and little data on how well these modalities correlate. We explore the diagnostic congruence for DESD between needle EMG and VCUG in the neurogenic population. METHODS: Consecutive studies performed by a single urodynamicist at a major neurologic center were reviewed. Presence of DESD was determined by increased wire needle EMG activity and/or by dilated bladder neck and proximal urethra during detrusor contraction, in the absence of valsalva or attempt to inhibit voiding. Minimal acceptable criterion for agreement between the two tests was set at 70%. RESULTS: Fourty nine patients were diagnosed with DESD, had a videourodynamic study available, and had no history of sphincterotomy or stent. Binomial testing demonstrated significant disagreement (P < 0.000) in observed proportions. There was 60% agreement (28 patients) and 40% disagreement (21 patients) between EMG and VCUG for diagnosis of DESD. CONCLUSIONS: We found significant disagreement between needle EMG and VCUG for a positive diagnosis of DESD. A combination of EMG and VCUG may identify more cases of DESD than either modality alone and underscores the need for more strict criteria when defining this entity from a urodynamic standpoint.     

Voiding dysfunction due to neurosyphilis

Three patients with neurosyphilis presenting with urinary frequency, incontinence and voiding dysfunction were investigated. Unlike the previously reported finding of areflexia in tabes dorsalis, all 3 had hypocompliant detrusor hyper-reflexia with detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia and post-micturition residual urine. One patient also had bladder neck dyssynergia treated by bladder neck incision. The other 2 patients were initially managed by intermittent catheterisation but 1 ultimately underwent urinary diversion. The clinical relevance of these findings and the treatment of this condition are discussed.     

Bladder and sphincter behavior in patients with spinal cord lesions

To ascertain the relationship between the clinical neurological level, and bladder and sphincter behavior, the video-urodynamic studies of 489 patients with spinal cord lesions due to a variety of causes were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were classified based on the clinical neurological level, etiology of the lesion and presence or absence of signs of sacral cord involvement. Urodynamic findings were classified as either detrusor hyperreflexia, detrusor-external sphincter dyssynergia, detrusor areflexia or normal. The results indicate that although there was a general correlation between the neurological level of injury and the expected vesicourethral function, it was neither absolute nor specific. For example, 20 of 117 cervical cord lesions had detrusor areflexia, 42 of 156 lumbar cord lesions had detrusor-external sphincter dyssynergia and 26 of 84 sacral cord had either detrusor hyperreflexia or detrusor-external sphincter dyssynergia. However, if one considers the presence of neurological abnormalities, 84% of the suprasacral cord lesions with detrusor areflexia have sacral cord signs. In contrast, all suprasacral cord lesions with no evidence of sacral cord involvement have either detrusor hyperreflexia or detrusor-external sphincter dyssynergia. The positive predictive value for positive sacral cord signs and detrusor areflexia was 87%. The positive predictive value for negative sacral cord signs and detrusor hyperreflexia/detrusor-external sphincter dyssynergia was 81%. These data suggest that the clinical neurological examination alone is not an adequate barometer to predict neurourological dysfunction and that video-urodynamic evaluation provides a more precise diagnosis for each patient.     

Psychogenic urinary retention: report of two cases

Case 1 was a 24-year-old woman, with a broken heart who complained of urinary retention. Cystometry revealed a hypoactive bladder without detrusor contraction. Case 2 was a 30-year-old man, who thought that he had renal failure. Urodynamic study showed hypoactive bladder without detrusor contraction. External sphincter electromyograph revealed no evidense of detrusor sphincter dyssynergia. These 2 cases were treated by psychotherapy, administration of diazepam and bethanechole, and intermittent self catheterization. The Japanese literature on the psychogenic urinary retention is briefly discussed.     

Non-neurogenic neurogenic bladder: The relationship between intravesical pressure and the external sphincter electromyogram

We retrospectively reviewed the urodynamic studies of 14 patients: 3 males and 11 females, previously diagnosed clinically and urodynamically as having non-neurogenic neurogenic bladder. The mean age of the patients was 10 years (range 4–24 years). We identified 3 urodynamic features in this patient population that are distinct from those seen in patients with true detrusor-external sphincter dyssynergia: (1) quieting of the external sphincter electromyogram (EMG) immediately prior to the onset of a detrusor contraction, (2) quieting of the EMG during the upslope of a detrusor contraction, and (3) augmented EMG activity during the downslope of the detrusor contraction. Although both involve incoordinate bladder and pelvic floor/external sphincter activity, a simple cystometrogram with EMG may allow reliable differentiation between true detrusor-external sphincter dyssynergia and non-neurogenic neurogenic bladder.     

The use of the Memokath stent in the treatment of detrusor sphincter dyssynergia in spinal cord injury patients: a single-centre seven-year experience

AIMS: A retrospective analysis of our seven-year experience with the Memokath urethral stent for the treatment of detrusor sphincter dyssynergia (DSD) in spinal cord injured (SCI) patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty five patients with SCI underwent rhabdosphincter Memokath stent insertion. The mean age was 45.5 years (range 32-65 years). The level of injury was cervical in 14 and thoracic in 11 patients. All patients were shown to have neurogenic detrusor overactivity with DSD associated with high detrusor pressures and incomplete emptying on pre-operative video-cystometrograms (VCMG). The Memokath stent was inserted using a standardized protocol. Follow-up assessment included blood chemistry, ultrasound scan (upper tracts and residual urine) at one and three months after insertion, and a follow-up VCMG at six months. The pre-operative and six-month post-operative VCMG results were analysed by the paired t-test and p value <0.05 was taken as significant. RESULTS: There was a significant reduction in maximum detrusor pressure, duration of contraction and residual urine volume (p<0.05) on the VCMG six months after insertion of the stent. At present six patients have a Memokath stent in situ at a mean of 34.7 months (range 6-86 months). Nineteen stents were removed for several reasons at a mean of 20.3 months (range 0.25-41 months). These include, exacerbation of autonomic dysreflexic symptoms (n=3); stent migration (n=7); encrustation and stone formation (n=5); incomplete bladder emptying without obstruction (n=3); entrance into fertility program (n=1). CONCLUSION: The Memokath stent is safe, easy and quick to insert with minimal trauma to the urethra. It is effective in the management of DSD and decreasing the detrusor pressure and residual urine volume in SCI patients. Moreover the ease of its removal in a non-traumatic fashion makes this stent an attractive option when patients are still contemplating the method of bladder management, in those wishing to be involved in fertility program and in recently SCI patients who may recover some manual dexterity to perform clean intermittent self-catheterisation. It must be remembered that this is a temporary stent, as our study clearly shows that the majority are removed within two years of insertion.     

Clinical Effect of Alpha-1 Antagonism by Terazosin on External and Internal Urinary Sphincter Function

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effectiveness of alpha-1 blockade in the treatment of bladder outlet obstruction in the spinal cord injured (SCI) patient. We evaluated terazosin, a selective alpha-1 blocker, in 15 normotensive SCI patients. Detrusor-external sphincter dyssynergia (DESD), without obstruction of the bladder neck or prostate, was documented in all patients using video-urodynamic evaluation. Urodynamic testing was performed both before and during treatment with terazosin (5 mg nightly).

Voiding pressure before and during terazosin therapy averaged 92±17 and 88±27 cm H₂O, respectively (p=0.48). After subsequent external sphincterotomy or sphincter stent placement, the voiding pressure was reduced to 38±15 cmH₂O (p<0.001).

Nine other patients suffered from persistent difficulty voiding after previous sphincterotomy. Each was subsequently treated with oral terazosin. In five patients who improved with this treatment, urodynamic parameters demonstrated obstruction only at the bladder neck, with no evidence of obstruction at the level of the external sphincter. The four patients who failed to improve were documented to have an open bladder neck but obstruction at the level of the external sphincter.

Our data show that alpha-1 sympathetic blockade has no effect on external sphincter function and does not significantly relieve functional obstruction caused by DESD. It was also noted that terazosin is helpful in diagnosing and treating internal sphincter (bladder neck and prostate) obstruction especially in patients who have persistent difficulty voiding after external sphincterotomy. (J Am Paraplegia Soc; 16: 207–214)