Effects of the Electrical Stimulation for the Neurogenic Bowel according to the Level of Spinal Cord Injury

Objective: To evaluate the baseline colon transit time and rectoanal manometry and the effects of the electrical stimulation to the sacral dermatomes for the neurogenic bowel according to the level of spinal cord injury. Method: To determine the baseline differences, thirty three patients were classified into two groups: cord injured level above T9 and from T9 to L2. And thirteen patients were included in follow-up study to evaluate the effects of 4 weeks electrical stimulation. Results: There was no significant difference in the baseline colon transit time on two groups. After electrical stimulation, the left and rectosigmoid transit time was more improved in lower level injured group comparing with upper level injured group. In the rectoanal manometry the mean resting anal pressure, mean squeezing pressure, high pressure zone, and threshold of rectoanal inhibitory reflex were increased after the electrical stimulation on two groups. And the mean squeezing pressure on T9-L2 injured patients was significantly increased (p＜0.05). Conclusion: The elecrical stimulation to the sacral dermatomes increased the mean squeezing pressure of rectoanal manometry more significantly on the T9-L2 injured patients than the group of spinal cord injured level above T9. However, there was no statistically significant difference in the colon transit time before and after the electrical stimulation between two groups