Electric stimulation of the sacral roots was tried in 36 patients with variable forms of voiding dysfunction. The stimulation was done percutaneously (PNE) to $2 and $3 roots. Those patients who showed acceptable response were assigned to the surgical implantation of electrodes around the appropriate sacral root(s) and connected to a stimulator. The overall improvement in voiding symptoms vary from 60-100%. The electric stimulation of the sacral roots ($2-$3) could modulate the behaviour of the lower urinary tract.
The nerve supply to the lower urinary tract in animals and humans is mainly provided by the sacral segments $2-$4. Evidence has been provided both physiologically [1] and histologically [2] that chronic stimulation of $2-$3 can affect the behavior and morphology of the pelvic musculature.
The concept of modulation of the lower urinary tract through sacral root stimulation has recently been applied clinically in patients presenting with voiding dysfunction that is not amenable to conventional pharmacological treatment. For the last 2 years, we have been involved in a protocol study to assess the feasibility of sacral root stimulation as a means of restoring normal continence and voiding in a selected group of patients exhibiting voiding dysfunction.