Functional Reinnervation of the Rat Lower Urinary Tract after Cauda Equina Injury and Repair

This study investigates a surgical technique to restore bladder function after spinal cord injury. Specifically, it looks at injuries to the cauda equina, which often lead to permanent bladder dysfunction. The researchers implanted avulsed (torn) lumbosacral ventral roots into the spinal cord of rats to see if it could promote functional recovery of the lower urinary tract. The results showed that this implantation can lead to the return of functional micturition reflexes, suggesting a potential clinical strategy for treating these types of injuries.

• 1
  Avulsion injuries led to urinary retention, absence of bladder contractions and EUS EMG activation, increased bladder size, and retrograde death of autonomic and motoneurons.
• 2
  Implantation of avulsed ventral roots resulted in reduced urinary retention, return of reflexive bladder voiding contractions, anatomical reinnervation of the EUS, normalization of bladder size, and neuroprotection of autonomic and motoneurons.
• 3
  A positive correlation was observed between motoneuronal survival and voiding efficiency in the implanted group, highlighting the importance of motor neuron recovery for bladder function.