A urodynamics study is a procedure that looks at how well the bladder, sphincters, and urethra are storing and releasing urine. It focusses on the bladder's ability to hold urine and empty steadily and completely. It can also show whether the bladder is having involuntary contractions that cause urine leakage.
Results: Upside--His kidneys and bladder pressures are good. His bladder actually held a ton more liquid than the doctor even expected.
Downside--Although the bladder is healthy and can hold lots of liquid, it doesn't squeeze it all out at one time. His sphincter muscle, which is suppose to be tight and hold in your urine, is weak so he can't hold a full bladder from leaking. He actually began leaking at only 46cc, which is only an 8th of his bladder capacity! Catheterizing will take out all the urine but as the bladder begins to fill back up, the sphincter will continuously allow it to leak. Therefore he would not be dry between catheterizing even if we did it every 20 minutes. Dr. Ross says we have three choices: 1-continue in diapers, 2-bladder neck sling/mitrofanoff and mace surgery, or 3-when he turns 18 he could have surgery for an artificial urinary sphincter but they don't have this for children. She also mentioned that although the pressure on his bladder is safe, it may not be good enough for the surgery needed to make him continent of urine. Therefore she believes he may need a bladder augmentation where they make the bladder bigger. It can be rather dangerous because of the long term effects. Therefore she would recommend the bladder neck sling and mitrofanoff surgery for now and hold off on the bladder augmentation. She mentioned we may need to do that later down the line if it doesn't work. But Rayden has to be mentally ready for all of this. He would have three tubes sticking out of his belly for six weeks and then he would have to place tubes in those holes to flush his kidneys and bowel for the rest of his life.
Downside--Although the bladder is healthy and can hold lots of liquid, it doesn't squeeze it all out at one time. His sphincter muscle, which is suppose to be tight and hold in your urine, is weak so he can't hold a full bladder from leaking. He actually began leaking at only 46cc, which is only an 8th of his bladder capacity! Catheterizing will take out all the urine but as the bladder begins to fill back up, the sphincter will continuously allow it to leak. Therefore he would not be dry between catheterizing even if we did it every 20 minutes. Dr. Ross says we have three choices: 1-continue in diapers, 2-bladder neck sling/mitrofanoff and mace surgery, or 3-when he turns 18 he could have surgery for an artificial urinary sphincter but they don't have this for children. She also mentioned that although the pressure on his bladder is safe, it may not be good enough for the surgery needed to make him continent of urine. Therefore she believes he may need a bladder augmentation where they make the bladder bigger. It can be rather dangerous because of the long term effects. Therefore she would recommend the bladder neck sling and mitrofanoff surgery for now and hold off on the bladder augmentation. She mentioned we may need to do that later down the line if it doesn't work. But Rayden has to be mentally ready for all of this. He would have three tubes sticking out of his belly for six weeks and then he would have to place tubes in those holes to flush his kidneys and bowel for the rest of his life. Because his kidneys and bladder are safe and functioning so well, Dr. Ross doesn't really recommend the surgery right now. It would be more about lifestyle for him, not life threatening. There are so many complications that aren't really worth the trouble since he's doing so well in diapers. Michael and I agreed. These surgeries are a little too invasive for us right now. Maybe in the future when HE is ready to do this to his body.
Although he can't use the bathroom like other people, it certainly doesn't make him any LESS of a person. He is God's masterpiece. He is fearfully and wonderfully made and we love him just the perfect way he is!!
