Implantation of sacral anterior roots stimulator: Experience and implications for the anesthetic management

Abstract

Introduction: Neurogenic bladder predispose to patients with spinal cord injuria to reflex incontinence, urinary tract infections, autonomic dysreflexia and renal failure, which is one of the key causes of mortality. Neuromodulation of the anterior sacral roots is a treatment for bladder dysfunction. The anesthesiology publications about this procedure are very rarely.
Objectives: To describe the hemodynamic behavior and the adverse events during the intraoperative and immediate postoperative period of patients undergoing implantation of the sacral anterior roots stimulator.
Methods: Retrospective, descriptive study of series of cases of patients with chronic spinal cord trauma implanted with the anterior sacral roots stimulator.
Results: Out of 50 patients studied, 34% had an upper chest injury, 58% had a spinal injury secondary to a fire weapon bullet, 40% had a history of autonomic dysreflexia, 98% were had arterial line monitoring, 90% of the patients were hypotensive and 86% required vasopressors; 34% experienced bradycardia and 88% required atropine management.
Conclusions: Hypotension and bradycardia are the major adverse events in the management of these patients, but they exhibit adequate response to medical treatment. Studies are needed to assess the association between the level of the injury versus the presence of bradycardia and hypotension and the ideal monitoring during the procedure.