LAPAROSCOPIC IMPLANTATION OF TEMPORARY ELECTRODES FOR BLADDER STIMULATION IN DOGS

Five female mongrel dogs were used in an acute animal experiment. Unde r general anesthesia two monopolar wire electrodes armed with needles on either side were implanted into the bladder wall, the leads of both electrodes were then pulled through the abdominal wall. Filling of th e bladder and intravesical pressure measurement were achieved through a suprapubic percutaneous cystostomy. Electrostimulation was carried o ut using the XEJ-2 experimental electroejaculator (biphasic pulses, pu lse width 2.5 msec, approximately 70 mAmp, 50 Hz). The pressure change s within the bladder following electrostimulation were recorded, the e ffect of stimulation was observed endoscopically. Electrostimulation o f the bladder wall resulted in micturition in all cases, showing an in itial pressure peak at the commencement of electrostimulation followed by a decrease after onset of evacuation. We believe that laparoscopic implantation of temporary wire electrodes followed by percutaneous el ectrostimulation may open up new possibilities for bladder rehabilitat ion as well as for diagnostic investigations into the contractile capa bilities of the bladder. (C) 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.