Continuous overnight monitoring of bladder activity in vesicoureteral reflux patients: I. Method

A measurement system for monitoring bladder activity during sleep has been established. It includes bladder pressure measurements via suprapubic catheters, measurements of abdominal pressure activity via a rectally placed catheter, measurements of pelvic floor activity via surface electrodes placed perianally, and detections of involuntary voidings during sleep by a specially designed marking and alarm system. The system has been applied to 50 children with vesicoureteral reflux. In 40 patients, monitoring succeeded without discomfort to the patients. Preliminary analysis revealed bladder activity in all patients during sleep, an activity which is undergoing further analysis.