Effect and safety of botulinum toxin A injection in external urethral sphincter for male patients with neurogenic detrusor underactivity

Objective To assess clinical effect and safety of botulinum toxin A injection in external urethral sphincter for male patient with neurogenic detrusor underactivity(DU). Methods A prospective and self-controlled trail was conducted from August 2012 to October 2017. Male patients with nerve injury, dysuria more than 6 months, DU(bladder contractility index less than 100) were enrolled in this study. Exclusion criteria included patients with acute urinary tract infection, bladder stone, benign prostate hyperplasia, urethral stricture and urethral diverticulum.100 IU BTX-A was dissolved in 4ml normal saline, and the solution of BTX- A was injected into 4 different points(3-o’clock, 6-o’clock, 9-o’clock, and 12-o’clock) in external urinary sphincter with each point of 1ml solution. Patients were evaluated at baseline and 12 weeks after injection. The outcomes included post void residual (PVR), maximum flow rate (Qmax), maximum detrusor pressure during voiding phases (Pdet.max), maximum urethral closure pressure (MUCP), the case number of intermittent catheterization (IC)and the score of quality of life (QOL score). Adverse events were also recorded. Results A total of 58 male patients (all from Guangdong provincial work injury rehabilitation hospital)with mean age 28.6 years suffered from cerebral palsy (n=2), cerebrovascular accident(n=19)and spinal cord injury(n=37) were included into the study. Compared to baseline data, significant difference were observed at week 12 in PVR (56.68 ml vs. 280.11 ml, P<0.001), Pdet.max(23.95 cmH2O vs. 30.01 cmH2O, P=0.019), Qmax(6.74 ml/s vs. 3.28 ml/s, P=0.042), MUCP(48.25 cmH2O vs. 79.34 cmH2O, P<0.001), the case number of IC(40 vs. 58, P<0.001) and QOL score(3.63 vs.5.22, P<0.001) respectively. 5 cases developed perineal pain and 16 cases developed mild transient haematuria. These adverse events were disappeared by medical symptomatic treatment during 3-5 days. Conclusions BTX-A externalurethral sphincter injections help reduce urethra resistance and also improve the quality of life for patients with neurogenic detrusor underactivity. Key words: Urethral sphincter; Botulinum toxin A; Neurogenic detrusor underactivity; Effect; Safety