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New strategies of pelvic nerves stimulation for recovery of pelvic visceral functions and locomotion in paraplegics
Author(s) -
Possover Marc,
Schurch B,
Henle KP
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
neurourology and urodynamics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.918
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1520-6777
pISSN - 0733-2467
DOI - 10.1002/nau.20897
Subject(s) - medicine , pudendal nerve , stimulation , spasticity , pelvic floor , urination , surgery , anesthesia , anatomy , urinary system
Abstract Aims To present new strategies of pelvic nerves stimulation to enhance micturition, to control spasticity, and to recover locomotion in paraplegics. Methods Three consecutive patients—Th5, Th7, and Th10 spinal cord injured—underwent laparoscopic transperitoneal implantation of octipolar electrodes to the sciatic and the pudendal nerves and one double extradural Brindley–Finetech electrode bilaterally to the sacral nerve roots S3 and S4. The two octipolar electrodes were connected to an implanted rechargeable generator, while the double Brindley electrode was connected to an implanted Brindley–Finetech receiver block. Results Continuous stimulation of the sciatic and pudendal nerves at a frequency of 20 Hz in all three patients permits complete control of the spasticity of the lower extremities and of reflex incontinence. Bladder emptying is obtained by sacral nerve roots stimulation alone in the first patient, by simple interruption of pudendal stimulation in the second (“pudendal‐deblockade”) and by simultaneous sacral nerve roots stimulation with high‐frequency pudendal nerve blockade in the third patient. Functional electrical stimulation of the femoral nerves enables the Th4 paraplegics lower‐limb cycling and the two further patients standing and alternative locomotion. Conclusion This short series indicated that laparoscopic implantation of neuroprothesis to the pelvic nerves offers absolutely new strategies based on new combinations of various reported methods to enhance bladder functions and to recover some locomotion in paraplegics. Neurourol. Urodynam. 29:1433–1438, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.