Evacuation of paralysed human bladder by electric stimulation

Abstract

Vesical stimulation has been performed in three patients by means of implanted electric stimulators. The stimulator was placed under the skin of the abdominal wall, while the bilateral electrodes were implanted in the immediate vicinity of the uretero-vesical junctions. It was only from these points that contraction of the entire bladder could be obtained. The treatment had no effect in a case in which the number of functioning muscles was insufficient owing to extreme distention of the bladder. The second patient, a case of spastic paralysis, was treated similarly with the only difference that the pudendal nerves had to be blocked by novocain in the course of treatment. The third case, one of flaccid paralysis, seemed to be best suitable for the treatment under review. Technical, surgical and biological problems connected with the procedure are discussed.