Sacral bladder denervation for treatment of detrusor hyperreflexia and autonomic dysreflexia

Objectives. Detrusor hyperreflexia after spinal cord injury may cause urinary incontinence and chronic renal failure. In patients refractory to conservative treatment and not eligible for ventral sacral root stimulation for electrically induced micturition, we investigated the therapeutic value of sacral bladder denervation as a stand-alone procedure. Methods. Nine patients (8 men and 1 woman) between 21 and 58 years old (mean 30.2) with traumatic suprasacral spinal cord lesions underwent sacral bladder denervation for treatment of detrusor hyperreflexia and/or autonomic dysreflexia. Results. Detrusor hyperreflexia and autonomic dysreflexia were eliminated in all cases. Bladder capacity inc…