Multifunctional surface probe for less invasive stimulation of sacral somatic and autonomic outflow under EMG feedback control

Abstract

Invasive electric stimulation of sacral somatic and autonomic outflow is used for treatment of urinary and anorectal functional disturbances and selective monitoring of the autonomic nerve-sparing technique in pelvic surgery, the so called pelvic intraoperative neuromonitoring. The aim of this experimental study was to investigate a less invasive approach for simultaneous stimulation of sacral somatic and autonomic outflow and concomitant recording of feedback.

Keywords

• autonomic nerves
• sacral nerve stimulation
• intraoperative monitoring
• internal anal sphincter
• electromyography
• anorectal dysfunction