ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF BLADDER AND BOWEL DYSFUNCTION IN PATIENTS POST LUMBAR DECOMPRESSION FOR CAUDA EQUINA SYNDROME: DEVELOPMENT OF A POST-OPERATIVE PATHWAY AT BEAUMONT HOSPITAL, DUBLIN

Purpose and background:Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES) is a rare condition which, even in the presence of prompt surgical decompression, can have devastating consequences for patients in terms of bladder and bowel dysfunction. The aim of this project was to develop a post-operative pathway for the assessment and management of bladder and bowel dysfunction in patients with CES.Method:Beaumont Hospital performs a high volume of spinal surgeries. A small number are lumbar decompression surgeries due to CES. While sphincter function is routinely screened by a physiotherapist post-operatively, to date there has been no protocol in place for assessment and management of bladder and bowel dysfunction in this population. This project was carried out in collaboration with consultants in urology and colorectal surgery, as well as clinical nurse specialists in both areas.Results:All patients undergoing lumbar decompression due to CES will be referred to a colorectal surgeon for post-operatively review and out-patient mo...