Advances in Neuromodulation for Bowel Dysfunction

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ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 0 pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (93 download)

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Book Synopsis Advances in Neuromodulation for Bowel Dysfunction by : Anil Thomas George

Download or read book Advances in Neuromodulation for Bowel Dysfunction written by Anil Thomas George and published by . This book was released on 2012 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Advances in Neuromodulation for Bowel Dysfunction

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Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (835 download)

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Book Synopsis Advances in Neuromodulation for Bowel Dysfunction by : Anil Thomas George

Download or read book Advances in Neuromodulation for Bowel Dysfunction written by Anil Thomas George and published by . This book was released on 2012 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Neurostimulation in the form of sacral nerve stimulation has been used in the treatment of bowel dysfunction since the past 17-18 years. However, our knowledge on the alternative forms of neurostimulation such as pudendal nerve stimulation and posterior tibial nerve stimulation are limited. In addition, there exist several patient groups where sacral nerve stimulation is not effective. This thesis incorporates a series of studies done with the aim of expanding our existing knowledge on neurostimulation as well as exploring alternate forms of neurostimulation in treating bowel dysfunction. The role of pudendal nerve stimulation in faecal incontinence and the steps in the development of a new technique including cadaveric dissection, for stimulating the pudendal nerve are discussed. The new technique developed is subsequently used to successfully stimulate the pudendal nerve in two specific subgroups of patients where sacral nerve stimulation has not been effective in: patients with complete cauda equina syndrome and those who failed to improve with sacral nerve stimulation. The thesis explores additional routes of neurostimulation using the posterior tibial nerve and discusses the findings of a single blinded randomised placebo controlled clinical trial of percutaneous, transcutaneous and sham posterior tibial nerve stimulation in a group of faecal incontinent patients. Our knowledge on the effects of sacral nerve stimulation in constipation is relatively new. The results of a double blinded crossover study of sacral nerve stimulation in constipation sheds more light on the possible actions and effects of sacral nerve stimulation in this group of patients. The effects of sacral nerve stimulation in the elderly is discussed in the subsequent chapter through the presentation of the findings of a single center retrospective analysis on the safety and long term efficacy of sacral nerve stimulation in the elderly subgroup.

Adult and Pediatric Neuromodulation

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Publisher : Springer
ISBN 13 : 3319732668
Total Pages : 243 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (197 download)

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Book Synopsis Adult and Pediatric Neuromodulation by : Jason P. Gilleran

Download or read book Adult and Pediatric Neuromodulation written by Jason P. Gilleran and published by Springer. This book was released on 2018-04-10 with total page 243 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This text reviews the anatomy and physiology of neuromodulation for treatment of various pathology of the human body, with specific emphasis on sacral neuromodulation for bladder and bowel dysfunction in the adult and pediatric populations. In addition to historical overview of the various methods of neuromodulation, present day applications will be discussed as well as possible future directions for use. Adult and Pediatric Neuromodulation will be of great value to medical professionals who are interested in the use of neuromodulation as a possible therapy option for their patients, particularly when other traditional or medical management options have failed. Each chapter is written by experts in the topic of various modalities of neuromodulation.

Stimulation of the Peripheral Nervous System

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Publisher : Karger Medical and Scientific Publishers
ISBN 13 : 3318028096
Total Pages : 258 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (18 download)

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Book Synopsis Stimulation of the Peripheral Nervous System by : K.V. Slavin

Download or read book Stimulation of the Peripheral Nervous System written by K.V. Slavin and published by Karger Medical and Scientific Publishers. This book was released on 2015-09-09 with total page 258 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Among neuromodulation procedures, electrical stimulation of peripheral nerves (PNS) is probably the most underappreciated modality. Although PNS is used for all kinds of medical conditions, ranging from chronic neuropathic pain and headache to epilepsy, depression, hypertension and heart failure, its importance is frequently overshadowed by spinal cord stimulation and deep brain stimulation. While the earlier version of this book dealt exclusively with various pain syndromes, this new volume covers the entire spectrum of PNS applications. Written by recognized authorities in their respective fields, the chapters of this title describe the use of PNS in the management of neurological, psychiatric, otorhinolaryngological, cardiovascular, pulmonary, colorectal and genitourinary disorders. To reflect the complexity of the regulatory process, the book ends with a special chapter dedicated to the current state of approval of different PNS devices. This book will be of great value to all those who deal with neuromodulation, including clinicians who select PNS candidates, surgeons and other specialists who implant PNS devices, and researchers and engineers who work on making the stimulators safer and more effective.

Electroceuticals

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Publisher : Springer
ISBN 13 : 9783319286105
Total Pages : 0 pages
Book Rating : 4.2/5 (861 download)

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Book Synopsis Electroceuticals by : Arshad Majid

Download or read book Electroceuticals written by Arshad Majid and published by Springer. This book was released on 2017-02-10 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book covers recent advances in the use of electrostimulation therapies in movement disorders, epilepsy, inflammatory bowel disease, memory and cognition, disorders of consciousness, foot drop, dysphagia, brain injury, headache, heart failure, hearing loss, and rheumatoid arthritis. It describes techniques such as vagus nerve stimulation, deep brain stimulation, and electrical stimulation of the pharyngeal nerve. Electroceuticals: Advances in Electrostimulation Therapies is aimed at clinicians and basic researchers in the fields of neurology, neurosurgery, cardiology and rheumatology.

Advances in Neuromodulation, An Issue of Neurosurgery Clinics of North America, An Issue of Neurosurgery Clinics

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Publisher : Elsevier Health Sciences
ISBN 13 : 0323264018
Total Pages : 233 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (232 download)

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Book Synopsis Advances in Neuromodulation, An Issue of Neurosurgery Clinics of North America, An Issue of Neurosurgery Clinics by : Won Kim

Download or read book Advances in Neuromodulation, An Issue of Neurosurgery Clinics of North America, An Issue of Neurosurgery Clinics written by Won Kim and published by Elsevier Health Sciences. This book was released on 2014-01-28 with total page 233 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This issue of Neurosurgery Clinics of North America is devoted to "Advances in Neuromodulation." Editors Won Kim, MD, Antonio De Salles, MD, and Nader Pouratian, MD have assembled the top experts to review topics such as: peripheral nerve stimulation; spinal cord stimulation for gait reanimation and vascular pathology; deep brain stimulation for Tourettes, OCD, depression, Parkinson’s disease, eating disorders, dystonia, and headache; and techniques for image-guided deep brain stimulation, advanced imaging for targeting, and closed loop neuromodulation.

Neurorehabilitation Therapy and Therapeutics

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Publisher : Cambridge University Press
ISBN 13 : 110718469X
Total Pages : 255 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (71 download)

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Book Synopsis Neurorehabilitation Therapy and Therapeutics by : Krishnan Padmakumari Sivaraman Nair

Download or read book Neurorehabilitation Therapy and Therapeutics written by Krishnan Padmakumari Sivaraman Nair and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2018-10-11 with total page 255 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This practical handbook for clinicians covers pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment options in neurological rehabilitation.

Coloproctology

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Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN 13 : 3540712178
Total Pages : 274 pages
Book Rating : 4.5/5 (47 download)

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Book Synopsis Coloproctology by : Alexander Herold

Download or read book Coloproctology written by Alexander Herold and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2008-08-15 with total page 274 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: EMM: Coloproctology presents the state-of-the-art in coloproctology. The topics covered include anatomy, physiology, anal disorders, dermatology, functional disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, benign and malignant tumours, endoscopy, emergencies and pain syndromes. All chapters give a comprehensive overview of aetiology, incidence, epidemiology, diagnostics, medical and surgical treatment, complications and individual special considerations. This work presents surgical trainees with a comprehensive and condensed guide to the core knowledge required for the European Board of Surgery Qualification (EBSQ) examination. The manual will also be of assistance to practising coloproctologists across Europe and beyond who have an interest in continued professional development. Written by an international team of experts who have each made noteworthy contributions in their field, the coverage of most aspects of coloproctology in an easy-to-follow format also makes this manual valuable to other specialists.

Neuromodulation

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Publisher : Academic Press
ISBN 13 : 0080921396
Total Pages : 1089 pages
Book Rating : 4.0/5 (89 download)

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Book Synopsis Neuromodulation by :

Download or read book Neuromodulation written by and published by Academic Press. This book was released on 2009-05-05 with total page 1089 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Neuromodulation will be the first comprehensive and in-depth reference textbook covering all aspects of the rapidly growing field of neuromodulation. This book provides a complete discussion of the fundamental principles of neuromodulation and therapies applied to the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, autonomic nerves and various organs. The textbook is highly structured and organized into overarching sections that cover chronic pain, movement disorders, psychiatric disorders, epilepsy, functional electrical stimulation, cardiac, gastrointestinal, genitourinary and organ neuromodulation. The fundamental principles of electricity and infusion, neural tissue interface, biomedical engineering, neuromodulation devices, basic science, neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, imaging and mechanisms are emphasized. In addition to providing details pertaining to the state-of-the-art current practice, innovative and emerging applications are discussed in specific chapters. Finally, the textbook provides specific chapters focusing on the technical aspects of the various neuromodulation procedures as well as technical specifications of various implantable devices. All of the contributors to Neuromodulation represent leading experts in the field. The editors are internationally renowned in their respective fields of neuromodulation, pain management, functional neurosurgery and biomedical engineering. Neuromodulation will be the first and foremost authoritative text on neuromodulation therapies and will establish the gold standard that defines the field for years to come.Key Features - The first comprehensive reference on the emerging field of Neuromodulation - Editors and authors include all leading figures in the field, and the leaders of the International Neuromodulation Society - Over 90 chapters on topics ranging from a layout of the fundamentals (e.g. neuroanatomy, plasticity, bioelectrical effects, infusion therapies), solutions for the biomedical engineering challenges (e.g. materials, how to preserve normal function etc.), to a rundown of the existing applications and their future promise - Over 1200 pages in splendid full color, richly illustrated - Important areas of application include: control of chronic pain delivery of drugs to the nervous system via implanted devices control of epilepsy, Parkinson, etc. functional restoration, e.g. visual, auditory, restoration after stroke, restoration of motor function after traumatic events stimulation of body organs via neural devices (incl. the heart, abdominal organs, genitourinary organs) overview over newly emerging fields - control of obesity, blood pressure, tinnitus, brain injury, neurodegenerative diseases, brain-machine interfaces

Pediatric Incontinence

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Publisher : John Wiley & Sons
ISBN 13 : 1118814754
Total Pages : 354 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (188 download)

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Book Synopsis Pediatric Incontinence by : Israel Franco

Download or read book Pediatric Incontinence written by Israel Franco and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2015-09-23 with total page 354 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Pediatric incontinence: evaluation and clinical management offers urologists practical, 'how-to' clinical guidance to what is a very common problem affecting up to 15% of children aged 6 years old. Introductory chapters cover the neurophysiology, psychological and genetic aspects, as well as the urodynamics of incontinence, before it moves on to its core focus, namely the evaluation and management of the problem. All types of management methods will be covered, including behavioural, psychological, medical and surgical, thus providing the reader with a solution to every patient's specific problem. The outstanding editor team led by Professor Israel Franco, one of the world’s leading gurus of pediatric urology, have recruited a truly stellar team of contributors each of whom have provided first-rate, high-quality contributions on their specific areas of expertise. Clear management algorithms for each form of treatment support the text, topics of controversy are covered openly, and the latest guidelines from the ICCS, AUA and EAU are included throughout. Perfect to refer to prior to seeing patients on the wards and in the clinics, this is the ideal guide to the topic and an essential purchase for all urologists, pediatric urologists and paediatricians managing children suffering from incontinence.

Stimulation for Faecal Incontinence

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Publisher :
ISBN 13 : 9788792982124
Total Pages : 158 pages
Book Rating : 4.9/5 (821 download)

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Book Synopsis Stimulation for Faecal Incontinence by : Jonas Wors E

Download or read book Stimulation for Faecal Incontinence written by Jonas Wors E and published by . This book was released on 2012-12 with total page 158 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The prevalence of fecal incontinence is approximately 5% in the general population. In all patients, the treatment of fecal incontinence is primarily conservative and surgery is offered as second line treatment. Electrical stimulation of the sacral nerves (SNS) with an implanted electrode is a minimally invasive and effective treatment of idiopathic FI and the indications for SNS are widening. However, SNS requires surgery while percutaneous electrical stimulation of peripheral nerves could be a non-invasive alternative. Stimulation for Faecal Incontinence comprises five studies. Study I examines the clinical effectiveness of transcutaneous stimulation. Study II and III examined the acute effect of rectal stimulation in idiopathic incontinent patients and patients with spinal cord injury. In study IV the validity of a new research tool for assessment of gastrointestinal motility during stimulation is evaluated. In study V, small intestinal motility is investigated in patients implanted with a sacral nerve stimulator for faecal incontinence. Based on the present book it can be concluded that: DGN stimulation reduces faecal incontinence in patients with idiopathic faecal incontinence but the mode of action remains unknown. DGN does not affect rectal wall properties in patients with idiopathic faecal incontinence. DGN increases rectal tone in patients with supraconal spinal cord injury, but the validity and clinical importance of the finding need further study. MTS-1 is useful for determination of gastric emptying and small intestinal transit time. Preliminary results indicate that SNS does not affect small intestinal motility, but data need further analysis and have to be confirmed in a larger study.

Female Pelvic Surgery

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Publisher : Springer Nature
ISBN 13 : 3030283194
Total Pages : 367 pages
Book Rating : 4.0/5 (32 download)

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Book Synopsis Female Pelvic Surgery by : Farzeen Firoozi

Download or read book Female Pelvic Surgery written by Farzeen Firoozi and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2020-01-21 with total page 367 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The fully updated edition of this text provides a state-of-the-art surgical review of female pelvic surgery, and will serve as a valuable resource for clinicians and surgeons dealing with, and interested in the treatment of pelvic floor disorders. The book reviews the basic indications for treatment and details the many surgical approaches to the management of all pelvic floor disorders, including stress urinary incontinence, transvaginal prolapse, transabdominal sacrocolpopexy, robotic/laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy, vaginal and vulvar cysts, and interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome. In addition to step-by-step descriptions, the text is augmented with illustrations and photographs of surgical techniques demonstrating the major repairs described in each section. Written by experts in their fields, the second edition of Female Pelvic Surgery provides a concise and comprehensive review of all surgical approaches to female pelvic surgery.

Enteric Glia

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Publisher : Biota Publishing
ISBN 13 : 1615046615
Total Pages : 72 pages
Book Rating : 4.6/5 (15 download)

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Book Synopsis Enteric Glia by : Brian D. Gulbransen

Download or read book Enteric Glia written by Brian D. Gulbransen and published by Biota Publishing. This book was released on 2014-07-01 with total page 72 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The enteric nervous system (ENS) is a complex neural network embedded in the gut wall that orchestrates the reflex behaviors of the intestine. The ENS is often referred to as the “little brain” in the gut because the ENS is more similar in size, complexity and autonomy to the central nervous system (CNS) than other components of the autonomic nervous system. Like the brain, the ENS is composed of neurons that are surrounded by glial cells. Enteric glia are a unique type of peripheral glia that are similar to astrocytes of the CNS. Yet enteric glial cells also differ from astrocytes in many important ways. The roles of enteric glial cell populations in the gut are beginning to come to light and recent evidence implicates enteric glia in almost every aspect of gastrointestinal physiology and pathophysiology. However, elucidating the exact mechanisms by which enteric glia influence gastrointestinal physiology and identifying how those roles are altered during gastrointestinal pathophysiology remain areas of intense research. The purpose of this e-book is to provide an introduction to enteric glial cells and to act as a resource for ongoing studies on this fascinating population of glia. Table of Contents: Introduction / A Historical Perspective on Enteric Glia / Enteric Glia: The Astroglia of the Gut / Molecular Composition of Enteric Glia / Development of Enteric Glia / Functional Roles of Enteric Glia / Enteric Glia and Disease Processes in the Gut / Concluding Remarks / References / Author Biography

Surface Electromyography

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Publisher : John Wiley & Sons
ISBN 13 : 1118987020
Total Pages : 592 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (189 download)

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Book Synopsis Surface Electromyography by : Roberto Merletti

Download or read book Surface Electromyography written by Roberto Merletti and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2016-05-02 with total page 592 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Reflects on developments in noninvasive electromyography, and includes advances and applications in signal detection, processing and interpretation Addresses EMG imaging technology together with the issue of decomposition of surface EMG Includes advanced single and multi-channel techniques for information extraction from surface EMG signals Presents the analysis and information extraction of surface EMG at various scales, from motor units to the concept of muscle synergies.

Bowel Dysfunction

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Publisher : Springer
ISBN 13 : 3319432141
Total Pages : 270 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (194 download)

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Book Synopsis Bowel Dysfunction by : Brigitte Collins

Download or read book Bowel Dysfunction written by Brigitte Collins and published by Springer. This book was released on 2017-04-29 with total page 270 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The editors aim to provide the definitive guide for healthcare professionals on functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract and pelvic floor, and the treatments used within the current healthcare context. This book will help the reader to access and understand relevant information within a variety of clinical settings and scenarios. It will be relevant and useful to a variety of disciplines (e.g. Physicians, Nurses, Physiotherapists) who work within the field of gastrointestinal care. This book will be written by a team from the worlds’ most well established colorectal specialist hospital, presenting a definitive guide to care of the patient group.

Pain Management and the Opioid Epidemic

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Publisher : National Academies Press
ISBN 13 : 0309459575
Total Pages : 483 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (94 download)

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Book Synopsis Pain Management and the Opioid Epidemic by : National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

Download or read book Pain Management and the Opioid Epidemic written by National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2017-09-28 with total page 483 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Drug overdose, driven largely by overdose related to the use of opioids, is now the leading cause of unintentional injury death in the United States. The ongoing opioid crisis lies at the intersection of two public health challenges: reducing the burden of suffering from pain and containing the rising toll of the harms that can arise from the use of opioid medications. Chronic pain and opioid use disorder both represent complex human conditions affecting millions of Americans and causing untold disability and loss of function. In the context of the growing opioid problem, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) launched an Opioids Action Plan in early 2016. As part of this plan, the FDA asked the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to convene a committee to update the state of the science on pain research, care, and education and to identify actions the FDA and others can take to respond to the opioid epidemic, with a particular focus on informing FDA's development of a formal method for incorporating individual and societal considerations into its risk-benefit framework for opioid approval and monitoring.

Neurogenic bladder and bowel dysfunction

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Publisher : Linköping University Electronic Press
ISBN 13 : 9179297889
Total Pages : 71 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (792 download)

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Book Synopsis Neurogenic bladder and bowel dysfunction by : Peter Wide

Download or read book Neurogenic bladder and bowel dysfunction written by Peter Wide and published by Linköping University Electronic Press. This book was released on 2020-09-11 with total page 71 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Spinal dysraphism (SD) is a congenital malformation that to a varying extent, often severely, affects the life of the child and the family. Most individuals with SD suffer from neurogenic bladder and bowel dysfunction—with the risk of urinary tract infections, renal deterioration, urinary and fecal incontinence—that affects social participation and quality of life negatively. In newborns with SD, early detection of neurogenic bladder dysfunction and determination of post-void residual urine are required to determine the need of clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) and follow-up. The non-invasive method of four-hour voiding observation with provocation test (VOP) was used to evaluate bladder function in 50 newborn children with SD. Voiding patterns for the children were described and compared with those of 50 healthy newborns evaluated with VOP in an earlier study. Comparison revealed significant differences among several variables. In particular, leakage at provocation test and not voiding with a stream were common in newborns with SD but did not occur in healthy newborns. VOP is a non-invasive standardized method to determine residual urine in newborns with SD. It also adds information on voiding pattern, frequency, voiding with a stream and leakage at provocation. Findings in neonatal VOP of the same cohort of newborns with SD were then related to radiology, presence of urinary tract infections during the first year, and urodynamic findings and use of CIC at the age of one year. It was found that, in children with SD, not voiding with a stream may have a predictive value for the need of CIC at the age of one year, followed probably by lifelong CIC. Despite this, the presence of an open SD per se has stronger predictive value, and each child needs to be evaluated individually while considering a number of factors. The main value of VOP may be as a structured non-invasive screening method to uncover neurogenic bladder-sphincter dysfunction in the newborn. Studies with a larger number of subjects than the present are needed to evaluate the potential of VOP in newborns with closed spinal dysraphism in whom the neurological consequences vary. A retrospective analysis detected renal damage on DMSA scintigraphy in 5 of 41 children with SD who were followed according to a proactive national program with minimal use of surgery. Median follow-up time was 10 years. High baseline pressure was confirmed as a risk factor for renal damage. Compliance with treatment and follow-up is likely to be an important factor for renal health. Therefore, efforts to support children and their families are crucial. A questionnaire-based study of 107 children with SD (age 6–16y) in Sweden and Norway examined aspects of treatment for neurogenic bowel dysfunction focusing on incontinence, independence, general satisfaction and quality of life. It was found that transanal irrigation (TAI) and antegrade colonic enemas (ACE) are effective treatments, but are time-consuming and difficult to perform independently. The majority of children using TAI (72%) and ACE (63%) never went to the toilet alone to empty their bowels. As children achieving independence on the toilet reported higher quality of life, efforts to support independence are beneficial. Continent, self-managing children with healthy kidneys enjoy high quality of life and contribute more fully to society. Therefore, further research is required to investigate and develop existing and new technologies and methods that mitigate the problems related to SD, and to make them accessible to all children with spinal dysraphism. Under de senaste 50 åren har det skett en enastående utveckling av möjligheterna för barn som föds med ryggmärgsbråck. Tidigare har majoriteten av barn med ryggmärgsbråck avlidit redan som spädbarn men idag överlever de flesta till vuxen ålder. Utan aktiva insatser och uppföljning är dock risken för medicinska problem och allvarlig påverkan på livet mycket stor. Nu när nästan alla barn överlever ligger fokus på att också nå okad livskvalitet och självständighet för personer med ryggmärgsbråck. Nästan alla med ryggmärgsbråck måste hantera en allvarlig påverkan på blåsan och tarmen med risk för njurskador, inkontinens och förstoppning. I avhandlingens två första studier värderade vi en metod att, med minimalt obehag för barnet, bedöma blåsfunktionen. Detta för att kunna skilja ut de barn som behöver genomgå mer avancerade undersökningar och få hjälp med blåstömningen genom täta tappningar med kateter, sa kallad ren intermittent kateterisering, RIK. När vi jämförde resultatet av testet för 50 nyfödda med ryggmärgsbråck med samma undersökning av 50 friska nyfödda fann vi stora skillnader. Mest tydligt var att de flesta nyfödda med ryggmärgsbråck (69%) men inga friska nyfödda läckte urin när man tryckte över blåsan. Av nyfödda med ryggmärgsbråck kissade de flesta (74%) inte med stråle vilket alla friska nyfödda gjorde. Att inte kissa med stråle talade också starkt för att barnet skulle komma att behöva hjälp med RIK för att tomma blåsan vid ett ars ålder, och då sannolikt livet ut. Sammantaget visade avhandlingens två första arbeten att den metod för bedömning av blåsfunktion vi undersökt kan användas för att styra uppföljning och behandling av nyfödda med ryggmärgsbråck. Avhandlingens tredje studie visade att aktiv uppföljning av barnen enligt ett nationellt vårdprogram lyckades förhindra njurskador hos de flesta, men att höga tryck i urinblåsan och återkommande urinvägsinfektioner ökade risken för skador. Även familjernas förmåga att i en pressad vardag klara av att genomföra de ofta krävande behandlingar och undersökningar som rekommenderas verkade vara viktig för att förhindra njurskador. Stöttning av familjerna är därför viktig. Avhandlingens fjärde arbete berörde tarmen som nästan alltid är påverkad vid ryggmärgsbråck, med risk för svår förstoppning och avföringsläckage. Detta har påtaglig påverkan på barnen och deras familjer. En tredjedel av de 107 familjerna i vår enkätundersökning i Sverige och Norge (barn 6-16 år) beskrev att man fått avstå från aktiviteter såsom resor på grund av barnets tarmproblem och de barn som hade avföringsläckage rapporterade tydligt lägre livskvalitet än andra. Trots denna allvarliga påverkan finns det hittills inga studier som jämför de olika behandlingar som barnet kan använda. I vår enkät kartlade vi därför vilka metoder som användes och hur bra de fungerade. Vi ställde frågor till både barn och föräldrar, särskilt om avföringsläckage, hur nöjd man var med metoden, barnens livskvalitet och självständighet på toaletten. Det var utifrån svaren tydligt att båda de vanligaste typerna av tarmsköljning var effektiva men tidskrävande och svara för barn och ungdomar att klara att utföra på egen hand. Ingen metod visade sig överlägsen den andra men de barn som klarade att skota tarmtomningen själva skattade sin livskvalitet klart högre än övriga. Vi drar därför slutsatsen att det är viktigt att vårdpersonal diskuterar de olika behandlingsalternativen med barn och föräldrar, och tillsammans med dem väljer den metod som passar det enskilda barnet bäst. Då skapas bästa förutsättningar för att gemensamt arbeta vidare för att uppnå största möjliga självständighet. Självständiga individer, med friska njurar och utan urin- och avföringsinkontinens upplever högre livskvalitet och behöver mindre sjukvård och andra samhällsinsatser. Det behövs mer forskning för att utveckla existerande och nya metoder att hantera de allvarliga komplikationer som riskerar att drabba barn och vuxna med ryggmärgsbråck.