BLADDER PRESSURE SENSORS IN AN ANIMAL-MODEL

Urinary incontinence due to detrusor hyperreflexia might be inhibited on demand if changes in bladder pressure could be detected by sensors and transferred into pudendal nerve electrostimulation. The aim of thi s study is to investigate how the bladder wall reacts on different sen sor implants. Sensors were implanted in twelve goats. In group 1 (n = 8) real sensors were placed on the peritoneal surface of the bladder d ome, between the peritoneum and the muscular layer, and between the ce rvix and bladder. In group 2 (n = 4), dummy sensors were placed betwee n the mucosal and muscular layers. During follow-up as long as 25 mont hs, urodynamic studies, radiographic control and urine cultures were d one. In group 1, sensors placed between the peritoneum and muscular la yer gave the best results. In group 2, 11 of the 12 sensors eroded. Th e authors conclude that implantation of sensors in the bladder wall is feasible.