Greetings to all fellow members of the spinal community.
I am after a bit of advice from those older and wiser than myself.
I am a T6 complete paraplegic, with a reflex bladder (high residual
so I am also performing morning and evening catheters). Because of
high bladder pressures my specialist has been monitoring my bladder
using video cystometry (forgive the spelling). After my last video,
my specialist said that the pressures were too high and I really need
to do something about them within the next six months. He gave me two
options.

1 Sphincterotomy.
2 Brindley implant.

I would really like to hear from those who have had either of these
procedures carried out.
I guess that option 1 is relative straght forward. I have heard that
the sphincter often heals and the sphincterotomy needs to be repeated
(sometimes up to 6 times). Although leakage can be a problem, this is
probably not serious as I am wearing a urodome most of the time any.
Option 2 has some distinct advantages, but I have some questions.
How big and cumbersome is the device (both the internal and external
device). I am reasonably slim and reasonably active and I am
concerned about the internal device interferring with my lifestyle.
How long do they last? What is the success/failure rate? How
effective are they with bowel function? How effective are they with
sexual function (my specialist tells me that they are often
ineffective in this area)?

I need as much information that I can get in order to make the
correct decision as both of the options are irreversable.
Please post here or e-mail me at pierred@....

thanks for your help.........