Inhibition of the external urethral sphincter and sacral reflex by anal stretch in spinal cord injured patients

Relaxation of both detrusor and external sphincter muscles by mechanical stretch instead of cutaneous stimulation of the anal sphincter has been recognized and applied clinically for bladder emptying and for aiding catheterization in patients with spastic urethral sphincter. In a three-year study anal stretch was included as part of urodynamic examination in patients who could potentially use this method for bladder management. Anal stretch was found to inhibit the bulbocavernosus reflex and to be a useful alternative technique for bladder emptying in patients having complete paraplegia with normal hand function and with detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia. It is recommended that anal stretch combined with Credé or Valsalva maneuvers be a part of the urodynamic study of such patients to determine whether or not these techniques can be utilized for bladder management.