Bladder and bowel care after spinal cord injury can be significantly improved in adults by implantation of an electrical stimulator of the sacral nerves, usually combined with posterior sacral rhizotomy. This technique is now being extended to children and adolescents. Special consideration should be given to preserving spinal stability, allowing for growth and long-term maintenance of the implant. It is likely that this technique will not only improve physical health and mental and social well being but will also reduce the costs of bladder and bowel care in this population.

bladder, bowel, economics, electric stimulation, erection, incontinence, paraplegia, tetraplegia
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