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Objective: To evaluate the results of a self-designed bladder controller for restoring micturition function in paraplegic dogs., Methods: The spinal cords of 4 dogs were transected above the cone. Electrodes were implanted in S2 bilaterally and connected to the subcutaneous receivers for external activation. Microsurgical technique was employed to perform dorsal rhizotomy of S1-3 intradurally. The dogs were stimulated daily to observe micturition. Urodynamic testing and vesicography were performed., Results: All the dogs acquired micturition under the control of electric stimulation, with urine volume 80-140 ml per time. The mode of micturition was post-stimulus voiding. Vesicography revealed that the bladder was filled well and the bladder neck was open in the micturition course of electric stimulation. Residual urine volume was 15-20 ml. Urodynamic testing found that the bladder pressure and intraurethral pressure increased simultaneously, but when the intraurethral pressure was greater than the bladder pressure, no micturition occurred. The pressure decreased to baseline rapidly and the bladder pressure decreased slowly between two bursts. Micturition occurred when the bladder pressure was greater than the intraurethral pressure., Conclusions: The self-designed bladder controller together with a sacral deafferentation procedure can restore micturition function of paraplegic dogs.

Objective: To investigate the clinical effect of chitosan in prevention of knee dysfunction due to adhesion after operation for patellar fracture., Methods: From March to October 1999, 40 cases of patellar fracture were treated by internal fixation, with intra-articular injection of 2% chitosan in only 24 cases after fixation and with no chitosan injection in 16 cases (control group). The function of the knee joint, including extension and flexion, was evaluated 1 month and 1 year after operation respectively., Results: One month after operation, the knees with chitosan injection could actively move in the average range of 104 degrees +/- 23 degrees, and the knees in the control group could move in the average range of 72 degrees +/- 16 degrees, which showed significant difference between two groups (P < 0.01); 1 year after operation, the range of movement of the knees with injection was 165 degrees +/- 38 degrees on average, and that of the knees in the control group was 110 degrees +/- 31 degrees, which also indicated significant difference between two groups (P < 0.05)., Conclusion: Medical chitosan could effectively prevent or reduce the post-operative adhesion of knee joint after patellar operation.