Purpose: We investigated the role of botulinum toxin type A and urotherapy in the treatment of children with dysfunctional voiding.
Materials and methods: Nine female children with dysfunctional voiding refractory to standard urotherapy and alpha1-adrenergic blocking agents were included in the prospective clinical study. Botulinum toxin type A in a dose of 500 units was injected transperineally into the external urinary sphincter. Bladder rehabilitation was introduced 2 weeks after botulinum toxin type A treatment. Uroflow studies with ultrasound residual urine volumes were obtained before and 6 months after treatment. All children were tested before and 6 months after treatment using the empirically designed International Reflux Study in Children modified questionnaire.
Results: After treatment the mean +/- SD voided volume increased from 180 +/- 73 to 228 +/- 94 ml (p <0.05) while post-void residual urine volume decreased from 52 +/- 40 to 19 +/- 18 ml (p <0.05). Significant differences in other uroflowmetry parameters were not found. However, significant symptom score improvement was detected 6 months after treatment, being decreased by 7 vs 20 (p <0.01). No systemic side effects occurred following botulinum toxin type A injection.
Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that the voiding mechanism in children with dysfunctional voiding refractory to standard therapy can be significantly improved and maintained at least 6 months after combined botulinum toxin type A injection and bladder rehabilitation.