Effect of sacral nerve blocks on the function of the urinary bladder in humans

Abstract

✓ The authors report over 100 sacral root blocks performed in 50 patients with detrusor activation by air cystometry. The detrusor reflex was abolished with unilateral sacral blocks in over 50% of the patients. The nerve roots most frequently innervating the bladder were S-3 and S-4. Most of these patients suffered from multiple sclerosis and had spinal cord involvement. The possible pathophysiology and its significance regarding urinary bladder innervation is discussed.