MP07-03 ASSESSMENT OF BLADDER SENSATION AFTER YEAR-LONG LOWER SPINAL ROOT TRANSECTION AND SURGICAL REINNERVATION USING BEHAVIORAL MEASURES

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES:We aim to surgically reinnervate a lower motor neuron neurogenic bladder via obturator-to-pelvic and sciatic-to-pudendal nerve transfer. Behavioral observations provide the most global assessment of functional recovery. We sought to determine whether observed micturition postures disappear in decentralized animals and reappear after reinnervation.METHODS:Three groups of female canines were used: 1) Long-term survival (12 months) after transection of all ventral and dorsal sacral roots, the dorsal roots of L7 and hypogastric nerves, bilaterally (n=4); 2) Procedures described in Group 1, followed by obturator-to-pelvic nerve and sciatic-to-pudendal nerve transfer (n=3); 3) Unoperated control animals (n=3). Micturition postures were monitored for 24 hours at monthly intervals via video recording. Bacteriuria was tracked midway through the study with urine Multistix test strip assays, body temperature, and cultured urine specimens by a commercial clinical laboratory. Awake cystomet...