Anal sphincter maximum functional electrical stimulation in detrusor hyperreflexia

Abstract

Evaluation of maximal electrical sphincter stimulation in 13 patients with detrusor hyperreflexia showed no change in volume at first or duration of hyperreflexia, or bladder capacity during a stimulation period of 4 times 30 minutes, when compared single blind to a similar registration without sphincter stimulation. After 12 days of stimulation 30 minutes twice daily, 10 of 12 patients reported improvement in irritative bladder symptoms but no significant changes were seen in the cystometric findings and only 2 patients wanted to continue treatment. The anal plug stimulator had 4 separate electrodes, 1 stimulating at a time. Despite this, significant fatigue of the sphincter activity was measured after the stimulation period. In conclusion, we found that the efficacy of sphincter stimulation in patients with detrusor hyperreflexia and irritative bladder symptoms was limited.