David B. Vodušek

Fourth international consultation on incontinence recommendations of the international scientific committee: Evaluation and treatment of urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and fecal incontinence†‡§¶‖

P. Abrams , K.E. Andersson, L. Birder, L. Brubaker, L. Cardozo, C. Chapple, A. Cottenden, W. Davila, D. de Ridder, R. Dmochowski, M. Drake, C. DuBeau, C. Fry, P. Hanno, J. Hay Smith, S. Herschorn, G. Hosker, C. Kelleher, H. Koelbl, S. Khoury,* R. Madoff, I. Milsom, K. Moore, D. Newman, V. Nitti, C. Norton, I. Nygaard, C. Payne, A. Smith, D. Staskin, S. Tekgul, J. Thuroff, A. Tubaro, D. Vodusek, A. Wein, and J.J. Wyndaele and the Members of the Committees

Preservation of Pudendal Afferents in Sacral Rhizotomies

OBJECTIVE To assess the effectiveness of pudendal afferent mapping as a tool to minimize the risk of postoperative bowel, bladder, and sexual dysfunction in patients undergoing selective posterior rhizotomies in whom the S2 roots are candidates for rhizotomy. METHODS One-hundred fourteen children with the diagnosis of cerebral palsy and debilitating spasticity were selected to undergo selective posterior rhizotomies at New York University Medical Center during 1991 through 1995. There were 72 male and 42 female patients with a mean age of 3.8 years. At the time of surgery, none of the patients had clinically relevant bladder dysfunction. Dorsal root action potentials were recorded intraoperatively to map the distribution of pudendal afferent fibers in S1-S3 roots bilaterally before performing the rhizotomies. RESULTS Pudendal afferent mapping was successful in 105 of 114 patients. In the majority of these patients (56%), the distribution was asymmetrical. S1 roots contributed 4%, S2 roots 60.5%, and S3 roots 35.5% of the overall pudendal afferent activity. The pudendal afferent distribution was often confined to a single level in 18% of the patients or even to a single root in 7.6%. Fifty-six percent of the pathologically responding S2 roots during rhizotomy testing were preserved because of the significant afferent activity, as demonstrated during pudendal mapping. None of the 105 patients so mapped developed long-term bowel or bladder complications. CONCLUSIONS Pudendal afferent mapping identifies S2 roots that carry a significant number of fibers involved with genital sensation. The preservation of such roots during surgical procedures may be important for sexual function and may also contribute to decreasing postoperative bladder and bowel disturbances.

Standardization of anal sphincter EMG: technique of needle examination.

The external anal sphincter (EAS) anatomy is complex, and no exact technique of needle electrode insertion into it for electromyography (EMG) has been described. To define optimal positions for needle electrode insertions, EAS muscle topography was studied by concentric needle EMG. Fifteen women without uroneurological disorders were examined. Perpendicular insertions were made superficially (just under the mucosa) at the mucocutaneous junction, 5 and 10 mm more proximally (toward the anus), and at the anal orifice. In addition, at the anal orifice, deeper insertions were made. Superficially, EMG activity was detected at the mucocutaneous junction in 9 (60%) subjects. In the remaining 6, the muscle was found either 5 mm (in 5) or 10 mm (in 1) more centrally. At the anal orifice, superficial EMG activity was present in 67% of women. On deep insertion (15–25 mm) at the anal orifice, muscle was always present. It is suggested that, in further studies, the portions of the EAS muscle examined should be specified.

Intraoperative monitoring of the dorsal sacral roots: minimizing the risk of iatrogenic micturition disorders.

In 31 children (age, 2-17 years) and 1 adult, individual dorsal root action potentials (DRAPs) from the S1-S3 roots were recorded intraoperatively after electrical stimulation of the dorsal penile or clitoral nerves, in preparation for surgery within the cauda equina. In most patients, pudendal afferent activity was present in S2 and S3 bilaterally; in some, the afferent activity was confined to a single root bilaterally, and in one, to a single root on one side. Dorsal root action potentials of small amplitude were recorded from S1 in 15 patients, although in no patient was S1 the primary carrier of these afferents. No lesion of the roots or rootlets carrying significant afferent activity was created during the rhizotomy, and no dysfunction in micturition resulted. We propose that the neurophysiological identification of roots and rootlets carrying afferent activity from the penile or clitoral nerves allows for rhizotomy of the S2 roots with the least possible risk of postoperative micturition and sexual dysfunction.

Comparison of quantitative techniques in anal sphincter electromyography.

Data comparing results and utility of different quantitative electromyographic (EMG) techniques are limited. In the present study, we analyzed the EMG signal from the external anal sphincter (EAS) muscle using three techniques of motor unit potential (MUP) analysis, and a technique of interference pattern (IP) analysis. We examined 56 patients with damage to the cauda equina or conus medullaris, and 64 control subjects. Using manual‐MUP and multi‐MUP analysis about 20 MUPs, using a single‐MUP technique about 10 MUPs, and using turn/amplitude (T/A) analysis about 20 IP samples were obtained. The sensitivities of these techniques in distinguishing neuropathic from control muscles were calculated. The single‐MUP technique detected 63%, manual‐MUP 57%, and multi‐MUP analysis 62% of neuropathic muscles, and MUP parameters obtained by each of these differed significantly from the other. The sensitivity of T/A analysis of IP was 29%. Our results confirm the need for separate MUP normative data for each of the MUP analysis techniques, and favor them over the IP analysis technique. The normative data presented for the EAS muscle should improve and promote quantitative EMG in patients.

Intraoperative Monitoring of the Dorsal Sacral Roots

Abstract In 31 children (age, 2-17 years) and 1 adult, individual dorsal root action potentials (DRAPs) from the S1-S3 roots were recorded intraoperatively after electrical stimulation of the dorsal penile or clitoral nerves, in preparation for surgery within the cauda equina. In most patients, pudendal afferent activity was present in S2 and S3 bilaterally; in some, the afferent activity was confined to a single root bilaterally, and in one, to a single root on one side. Dorsal root action potentials of small amplitude were recorded from S1 in 15 patients, although in no patient was S1 the primary carrier of these afferents. No lesion of the roots or rootlets carrying significant afferent activity was created during the rhizotomy, and no dysfunction in micturition resulted. We propose that the neurophysiological identification of roots and rootlets carrying afferent activity from the penile or clitoral nerves allows for rhizotomy of the S2 roots with the least possible risk of postoperative micturition and sexual dysfunction.

Intraoperative recording of the bulbocavernosus reflex

OBJECTIVE To demonstrate the feasibility of intraoperative monitoring of the bulbocavernosus reflex (BCR) as an indicator of the functional integrity of sacral nervous structures to aid in preventing their intraoperative injury. METHODS Intraoperative BCR was elicited by electrical stimulation of the dorsal penile/clitoral nerve in 119 patients anesthetized with propofol, fentanyl, and nitrous oxide, with short-acting relaxant. Thirty-eight patients underwent surgery without risk, whereas 81 underwent surgery with risk of damage to sacral structures. Different patterns of stimuli were applied through silver/silver chloride disc electrodes placed on the dorsal aspect of the penis in males and over the clitoris (cathode) and adjacent labia (anode) in females. Recordings were made from the anal sphincter using intramuscular wire electrodes introduced within a 27.5 gauge needle, with two electrodes each inserted in the right and left hemisphincter muscles. Preoperatively, some patients had minor urinary problems in controlling their sphincters. RESULTS The BCR was reliably recorded without habituation under this anesthetic regime. Optimal stimulating parameters were found to be double pulses (0.5-ms duration), with an interstimulus interval of 3 ms, stimulating rate of 2.3 Hz, and intensity of 20 mA. With these parameters, it was possible to record the BCR intraoperatively in all patients. Isoflurane and nitrous oxide significantly suppressed the BCR, and muscle relaxant completely abolished it. CONCLUSION We demonstrated that it is feasible, under certain anesthetic regimes, to intraoperatively monitor the BCR in both children and adults (24 d to 74 yr of age) who did not have significantly affected function in sacral nervous structures.

Intraoperative monitoring of the bulbocavernosus reflex : The method and its problems

OBJECTIVES This study evaluates the method of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring of the bulbocavemosus reflex (BCR) with reference to stimulation and detection. METHODS The study was performed on a group of 65 patients, 53 men and 12 women, who underwent surgery for lower thoracic and lumbar spinal trauma, with no neurological deficit prior to or following surgery. Stimulating electrodes were placed on the dorsum of the penis or the clitoris. Single and double stimuli were used, as well as trains of 3, 4 and 5 stimuli. Detecting wire electrodes were introduced into the perianal region. RESULTS A single stimulus elicited the BCR in 50%, pairs in 75%, trains of 3 in 95%, and trains of 4 and 5 in 100% of patients. With placement of the detecting electrodes 2.5 cm deep to the skin, the BCR was detected in 13% of hemisphincters in women, and in 81% of hemisphincters in men. With controlled intramuscular placement of detecting electrodes, the BCR was detected in 97% of hemisphincters in men. With bifocal detection the BCR amplitudes were 30-312 mV (median 90), and interside amplitude ratio was 0.05-1 (median 0.66); with monofocal detection, amplitudes and interside amplitude ratio were 30-560 mV (median 200) and 0.15-1 (median 0.86), respectively. CONCLUSIONS A train of 4 electrical stimuli is optimal in eliciting the BCR in anesthetized patients. The low rate of elicitability in women was most probably due to inefficient stimulation. Detection was improved by controlled intramuscular placement of electrodes. Monofocal detection yielded higher BCR amplitudes. Interside difference and interindividual variability of the BCR amplitude were considerable.

Stroke patients who regain urinary continence in the first week after acute first‐ever stroke have better prognosis than patients with persistent lower urinary tract dysfunction

Urinary incontinence (UI) is a predictor of greater mortality and poor functional recovery; however published studies failed to evaluate lower urinary tract (LUT) function immediately after stroke. The aim of our study was to evaluate the course of LUT function in the first week after stroke, and its impact on prognosis.

Recommendations for the use of prolonged-release fampridine in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Prolonged‐release fampridine (fampridine PR) is a potassium channel blocker that improves conductivity of signal on demyelinated axons in central nervous system. Fampridine PR has been approved to improve speed of walking in patients with multiple sclerosis. This statement provides a brief summary of data on fampridine PR and recommendations on practical use of the medication in clinical practice, prediction, and evaluation of response to treatment and patient management.