Can my child get an artificial bladder?

Q: My 9 years old child has a neurogenic bladder due to meningomyelocoele with incontinence of urine. The doctor has advised a 4 hourly catheter but I heard that surgery is possible for an artificial sphincter. I want to ask where is this done? Is there any other treatment to avoid kidney failure?

A:At present, artificial bladder is in the very early stages of development. It is still experimental and needs to undergo many years of testing before is becomes widely used. I think you should follow your doctor’s advice regarding your child. Intermittent catheterisation is still the best option.