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.