[Early rehabilitation measures in the area of urologic excretion].

Among 126 patients in neurorehabilitation, most of them suffering from cerebral vascular disease, 78 were afflicted by a disturbance of urinary excretion, which could be alleviated in 42 cases (54%) during the first 3 weeks of therapy. In more than half of catheterized patients the catheter could eventually be abandoned. In terms of our rehabilitation scale, we could observe an improvement of 53% in scale points during the period of treatment. We adhere to a scheme of consistent cooperation between urologists and neurologists with respect to optimal and economical care for the catheterized patient with regular training of the vesical sphincter. Rational medication can in some cases take advantage of side-effects of drugs which are indicated for the primary disorder anyway. Permanent communication between the medical specialist in rehabilitation, the neurologist and the nurse is an essential requirement. Psychological and environmental aspects have to be considered in order to treat the patient as a complex entity.