Sphincter stretch: a new technique resulting in continence and complete voiding in paraplegics.

A technique is described to facilitate voiding in the paraplegic, whereby external sphincter spasm is eliminated as a source of obstruction. Digital stretch on the anal sphincter combined with the Valsalva maneuver has resulted in satisfactory bladder emptying in 16 paraplegic patients. The technique has been found unsatisfactory in patients with contracted bladders or with incomplete lesions of the spinal cord.