Neuro-Urology

Neuro-urology is a recent and dynamic specialism within the wider discipline of urology. Over the last decades, recognition of the domain has increased rapidly and treatments have been successful, allowing life expectancy after spinal cord injury to be raised.

Neuro-urology deals with conditions affecting the organs of the urinary tract after damage to the nerves supplying them. It evolved from urological rehabilitation of patients with spinal paralysis (perfect example) in the 1970s.

We diagnose and provide therapy for:

• bladder dysfunction
• sphincter dysfunction
• erectile dysfunction
• ejaculatory dysfunction
• bowel dysfunction

We treat patients with:

• traumatic spinal cord injuries
• a need for treatment after an operation on the spine or spinal cord
• a need for treatment after an operation on an intervertebral disc
• spinal cord tumours
• congenital spinal cord defects (e.g. spina bifida)
• multiple sclerosis
• Parkinson's disease
• a need for treatment after head trauma
• cerebrovascular disease (e.g. stroke)
• bladder dysfunction following pelvic surgery
• bladder dysfunction with an unclear cause

Maintaining natural bladder function is important for the life expectancy of people with neurological disorders. Our therapeutic measures aim to prevent secondary damage to the bladder and kidneys and to ensure continence is retained in everyday life as well as to treat sexual dysfunction. This significantly improves the patients quality of life. We offer in collaboration with the Department of Urology, University Hospital Zurich, the whole diagnostic and therapeutic spectrum of neuro-urology (including Botox® injections, invasive/non-invasive neuromodulation, endoscopic surgery, suburethral slings, artificial urinary sphincter prosthesis, urinary diversions etc.).

One of the main priorities of research work performed by our neuro-urology is to ensure that there are constant developments in diagnostics and therapies of neurogenic lower urinary tract and sexual dysfunction. We are cooperating closely with other research centres and industrial partners to find new diagnostics and therapy methods. 

For example, Botox® treatment of the overactive bladder which was used for the first time as a therapy method by Balgrist University Hospital’s Paraplegic Centre in 1998, has since become a recognised therapy method applied successfully throughout the world.