Bladder replacement by entero-cystoplasty after radical cystectomy for bladder cancer--the urethral Kock pouch

From September 1989 to March 1990, 6 male patients with invasive bladder cancer, 49 to 70 years old in age, underwent bladder replacement with the ileum (the urethral Kock pouch) after radical cystectomy. Follow up ranged between 3 and 9 months. Urodynamic evaluation showed the ileal bladder to be a low pressure reservoir with a capacity that increased to more than 250 ml. The ileal bladder was emptied by straining without significant residual urine in all patients except one who was performing intermittent self-catheterization. All patients were continent in the daytime. However, all patients required pads at night because of occasional loss of a little urine. Excretory urograms revealed excellent upper tract function. The procedure is suitable whenever the urethra can be preserved after cystectomy for cancer.     

ORTHOTOPIC BLADDER SUBSTITUTION IN WOMEN: FUNCTIONAL EVALUATION

PURPOSE: Orthotopic bladder substitution following cystectomy in women has recently been introduced at some specialized centers. Studies of such a procedure should consider the oncological and functional outcomes. We analyzed only the functional results of orthotopic bladder substitution since followup is too short (about 2 years) for a valid oncological assessment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From October 1994 to November 1997, 60 women with a mean age of 48.3 years underwent standard radical cystectomy and orthotopic diversion (ileal W-neobladder with subserous tunnel in 47 and hemi-Kock reservoir in 13). The oncological criterion was organ confined invasive bladder cancer. RESULTS: There was no perioperative mortality. Postoperative complications included fatal pulmonary embolism in 1 woman, deep vein thrombosis in 2, prolonged ileus in 1 and fistula of the vaginal pouch in 3, which was repaired successfully. Cancer recurred in the pelvis in 2 cases and as distant metastases in 5. Of the patients 43 had been followed for a mean of 20.2 months (range 6 to 36), and 32 were continent day and night, 1 was totally incontinent, 2 had daytime stress incontinence and 6 had nighttime incontinence. Six women had difficulty emptying the pouch spontaneously with concomitant residual urine due to acute angulation between the urethra and pouch. CONCLUSIONS: Orthotopic bladder substitution after standard radical cystectomy in select women provides a satisfactory functional outcome. Failure of complete emptying seems to be due to anatomical rather than functional reasons.     

Urethral recurrence in a woman after continent orthotopic urinary diversion for bladder cancer

We describe a 55-year-old woman with a urethral recurrence of transitional cell carcinoma of her bladder 4 years after she underwent radical cystectomy with negative margins and no evidence of invasion of the bladder neck, anterior vaginal wall, or proximal urethra. This was the first urethral recurrence in an appropriately selected female patient at our institution. This report emphasizes the need for long-term follow-up in patients after radical cystectomy and the need for guidelines for appropriate selection of female patients for continent orthotopic urinary diversion.     

Ileal orthotopic neobladder in women: The first experiences from Turkey and our modifications

The lower urinary tract reconstruction with an ileal neobladder in woman is not very often but has been recently introduced centers. We report 8 female patients with ileal orthotopic neobladders after cystectomy. Patients and methods: Between 1995 to 1999, 7 female patients with organ confined invasive bladder cancer and 1 female patient with severely contracted bladder secondary to tuberculosis were operated. While standard radical cystectomy was done in 7 patients with bladder cancer, only simple cystectomy was performed in patient with contracted bladder. Detubularized ileal W-neobladder with antirefluxive ureteroileal reimplantation were used as a procedure and reservoirs are connected to the proximal urethra in all patients. Cystoscopy and biopsy was done routinly in the bladder neck and there were no tumour and CIS in any patient. Results: The mean age was 65.4 years (53–70) and the mean postoperative follow-up time was 31.8 months (6–48). There was no perioperative or early postoperative (first one month) mortality. Early postoperative complications included acute renal failure in 1 patient (12.5%), deep vein thrombosis in 1 patient (12.5%) and leakage from the pouch in 2 patients (25%). In one patient (12.5%), ileo-pouchal fistula was seen in sixth month and reoperated. Although there was not hypercontinence, one patient (12.5%) had totally incontinence. All other patients had normal micturition and no residual urine. Urethral recurrence was not seen in this postoperative follow-up period but pelvic recurrence and then distant metastases were found in one case (12.5%). Conclusions: The results of ileal orthtopic neobladder after radical or simple cystectomy in appropriate female patients are satisfactory. But certainly, we need the more experiences and studies about this subject. This revised version was published online in September 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Ileal T-pouch as a urinary continent cutaneous diversion: clinical and urodynamic evaluation

OBJECTIVE: To report the functional results of continent cutaneous urinary diversion with ileum, using the serous-lined extramural valve and Mitrofanoff procedure for the continence mechanism. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From April 1999 to October 2001, 18 patients (mean age 68 years) underwent radical cystectomy for invasive bladder cancer involving the bladder neck, urethra or prostate; they then had an ileal continent cutaneous T pouch constructed. The mean (range) follow-up was 12 (4-20) months. The first five patients had reconstructions using the original orthotopic T-pouch configuration, but in subsequent patients the technique was simplified, reducing the ileal segments. The ureteric-intestinal anastomosis was made using a split-cuff nipple technique. RESULTS: All patients were continent day and night, and there were no late complications. All cutaneous continent T pouches had a good capacity and low pressure, with no urinary reflux. No catheterization difficulties were reported and the evacuation intervals were approximately 4 h. CONCLUSIONS: This ileal cutaneous continent diversion is a versatile technique; the T-valve can be used successfully as a continent mechanism, ensuring continence day and night. The simplified technique maintains a reservoir of good capacity and compliance, thus preserving approximately 13 cm of ileal tract. The ureteric intestinal anastomosis by the split-cuff nipple technique is suitable in undilated and peristaltic ureters.     

改良Sigma直肠膀胱术

目的：评价改良Sigma术式可控性尿流改道的临床疗效。方法：对14例膀胱、前列腺肿瘤患者采用改良Sigma术式。折叠乙状结肠约25cm后全层切开，再缝合成低压袋，顶端固定在骶岬处，两输尿管末端合并吻合并外翻形成乳头，从低压袋上方引入再植。结果：全膀胱切切险后的直肠膀胱术平均手术时间65min。术后1例发生直肠阴道瘘，经横结肠造口后瘘口自愈；1例左肾积水伴上尿路感染者经输尿管顺行扩张后恢复正常，患者术后3个月发生血钾，补充枸橼酸钾后治愈。全组无尿失禁，肾功能损害及严重上尿路感染等并发症。结论改良Sigma手术时间短，对肠管扰动小、操作简便、术后尿控满意，上尿路积水，感染、电解质紊乱等并发症少，可明显提高患者生活质量。     

THE COLONIC NEOBLADDER: A STOMA-FREE BLADDER SUBSTITUTE AFTER RADICAL CYSTECTOMY - PRELIMINARY RESULTS IN SIX PATIENTS

We have used a urethral colonic pouch for total bladder replacement in 6 bladder cancer patients after radical cystectomy. The distal ileum, cecum, ascending colon and the right third of the transverse colon were isolated. The cecum and colon were opened along the tenia and a detubulized pouch was created. The ureters were sutured to the terminal ileum. The maximum pressure wave measured ranged–58 cmH₂O, and the amount of residual urine varied between 0 and 58 ml. All patients were completely continent during the day and slight incontinence at night was observed in 3. By amputating the right colonic artery, the pouch is easily moved to the urethral stump and serves as a low pressure neobladder after cystoprostatectomy.     

膀胱次全切除回肠扩大膀胱术治疗神经源性膀胱尿道功能障碍

目的：探讨肠道扩大膀胱成形术治疗神经源性膀胱尿道功能障碍的价值。方法：采用膀胱次全切除、回肠扩大膀胱成形术治疗7例神经源性膀胱尿道功能障碍患者。结果：2例术后排尿通畅，剩余尿消失；3例术后曾有排尿困难，经尿道膀胱颈电切后排尿通畅，无尿失禁，最大尿流率分别为27、16和18ml/s；1例术前曾采用经尿道膀胱颈电切术无效，行本手术后剩余尿消失，但仍有尿失禁，后在超声引导下于尿道周围注射硅酮后，尿失禁症状明显改善；余1例术后仍有排尿困难。结论：该手术方法对神经源性膀胱尿道功能障碍是一种可行的治疗方法。     

An appliance-free, sphincter-controlled bladder substitute: the urethral Kock pouch

A modified Kock pouch was constructed in 16 patients with cancer of the bladder in whom cystoprostatectomy was indicated. Surgery entailed creation of a Kock pouch with 1 valve for prevention of reflux. The pouch then was anastomosed to the urethral stump. There was no operative mortality. Followup ranged between 3 and 9 months. Excretory urograms revealed excellent upper tract function and good evacuation of the pouch with minimal residual urine. Urodynamic studies demonstrated a volume capacity of greater than 300 ml., with pressures of less than 40 cm. water. All patients were continent during the day. Nocturnal enuresis was observed in 4 patients, 3 of whom responded favorably to I-desamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin therapy. The procedure is suitable whenever the urethra can be preserved after cystectomy for cancer.     

An evaluation of quality of life in patients who underwent orthotopic bladder replacement after cystectomy: comparison of ileal neobladder versus colon neobladder

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine whether the quality of life (QOL) in patients who underwent orthotopic bladder replacement after radical cystectomy was affected by the intestinal segment used for the creation of a neobladder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 52 patients who underwent radical cystectomy for bladder cancer were included in this study; i.e., 24 patients with an ileal neobladder and 28 patients with a sigmoid neobladder. QOL was evaluated using the SF-36 health-related QOL survey and a questionnaire designed to evaluate the continent status. RESULTS: The mean follow-up periods for patients with an ileal and a sigmoid neobladder was 40.2 and 43.1 months, respectively. The SF-36 survey revealed that patients with colon neobladder had a significantly higher score for role-emotional functioning than those with ileal neobladder, while there was no significant difference in the remaining seven scores between patients with ileal and colon neobladders; however, general health and social functioning in patients with both types of neobladder appeared to be significantly lower than those in the general population in the United States. The results of the questionnaire analyzing the continent status were also similar between these two groups, including the desire to urinate, the incidence of both day- and nighttime urinary leakage, the frequency of pad exchange, and the concern of urine odor. CONCLUSIONS: Six of the eight scales concerning health-related QOL were favorable with both patients with ileal and colon neobladders, and the health-related QOL in orthotopic neobladder patients except for role-emotional functioning was not affected by the segment of the intestine used for neobladder construction. Moreover, no significant differences were observed in the QOL associated with continent status between these two groups. Therefore, patients with both types of orthotopic neobladder were generally satisfied with their health-related as well as disease-specific QOL.     

Clinical study of radical cystectomy and urinary reconstruction in elderly patients with bladder cancer

We compared the clinical and functional results of radical cystectomy and urinary reconstructions performed on 19 elderly bladder cancer patients over 75 years old to those on 22 younger patients to determine whether age was one of the critical points for the application of this type of surgery. Between January 1992 and January 1998, bladder substitution was performed after cystectomy using either the Hautmann, Studer or Reddy procedure in 9 of the 19 elderly patients. Urinary diversion was performed after cystectomy using ileal conduit and ureterocutaneostomy procedures in the rest of the patients. On the other hand, bladder substitutions were performed in 11; urinary diversions with continent urinary reservoir in 6 and with ileal conduit in 4 of the 22 younger patients. Neither prolongation of the operation time, nor increase in the amount of bleeding or prolongation of the post-operative hospitalization period was observed in any procedure used for elderly patients in comparison with younger ones. In elderly patients, the average operation time of radical cystectomy with bladder substitution was slightly longer than that of total cystectomy with ileal conduit or ureterocutaneostomy. The post-operative hospitalization period in the case of bladder substitution was similar to that for ileal conduit and ureterocutaneostomy with the difference of only 5 days on average. There were no peri-operative deaths, and early post-operative complications were observed in 3 of 9 cases of the bladder substitution, in 4 of 10 cases of ileal conduit or ureterocutaneostomy. Five cases of bladder substitution maintained their comfortable voiding urine comfortably, while 4 had dysuria and/or urinary incontinence. Over all, late complications occurred in 10 of the elderly patients. The rate and types of complications in the elderly patients were not different from those in the younger patients. The cause-specific survival rate and overall survival rates of the elderly patients were similar to those of the younger patients. In conclusion, indication of cystectomy and selection of urinary reconstruction procedure are not dependent on patient's age, Orthotopic urinary reservoir was found to be useful for even an elderly patient.     

100 cases of Mainz pouch: continuing experience and evolution

The surgical technique for creation of the Mainz pouch uses 10 to 15 cm. of cecum and ascending colon and 2 ileal loops of the same length for construction of a urinary reservoir. Initial applications of the Mainz pouch were for bladder augmentation after subtotal cystectomy and for continent urinary diversion. Current indications have been extended to complete bladder substitution after radical cystoprostatectomy with anastomosis of the pouch to the membranous urethra. For cosmetic reasons the umbilicus is used as a stomal site for continent urinary diversion, and the technique of intussuscepting the continence nipple has been modified accordingly. A total of 100 patients underwent a Mainz pouch procedure since 1983: 34 for bladder augmentation, 15 for total bladder substitution after cystoprostatectomy and 51 for continent urinary diversion. In the bladder augmentation group 1 patient underwent conversion to a continent stoma, 1 has urge and frequency, and the remaining 32 are completely dry day and night. These patients empty the bladder at normal intervals spontaneously except for 3 who rely on intermittent catheterization. In the bladder substitution group 1 patient has grade 1 stress incontinence and the remainder are completely dry during the day. However, at night 4 patients have leakage and they use a condom urinal. In the urinary diversion group all but 2 patients are completely dry and are on intermittent catheterization. The main problem of the initial series was prolapse of the continence nipple, which has been solved by staple fixation of the nipple to the bowel wall and to the ileocecal valve.     

Detection of nuclear matrix protein 22 and survivin baseline level in patients after radical cystectomy

We investigated the baseline levels of urine nuclear matrix protein 22 (U-NMP22) and survivin in urine after radical cystectomy for primary invasive bladder cancer. We measured U-NMP22 and survivin values in 72 patients with four types of urinary diversion (Indiana bladder, Bricker bladder, Mainz bladder and orthotopic bladder) after radical cystectomy and 25 healthy volunteers. We also analyzed the relation between the U-NMP22 and survivin level and other variables among patients with continent urinary diversion and incontinent urinary diversion as well as healthy controls, and found that the U-NMP22 and survivin values were not associated with postoperative interval or gender. The U-NMP22 values (mean ± standard error) for continent urinary diversion, incontinent urinary diversion and healthy controls were 12.08 ± 0.10, 16.62 ± 0.15 and 0.01 ± 0.00 U/ml, respectively. The survivin values (mean ± standard error) for continent urinary diversion, incontinent urinary diversion and healthy controls were 0.47 ± 0.06, 0.69 ± 0.16 and 0.02 ± 0.03 U/ml, respectively. The U-NMP22 and survivin values in the Bricker bladder group were significantly higher than the values in the other three groups. We noted that increased levels of U-NMP22 and survivin after radical cystectomy varied according to different predictors, which may be useful for designing strategies to follow these cases.     

The S-bladder--a complete continent antireflux functional replacement of the bladder sphincter muscle function

The S-bladder, developed on the basis of the Parks S-pouch, is a continent ileourethrostomy with antireflux implantation of the ureters via a nipple valve. It provides a low-pressure reservoir with a large capacity and allows voiding in the natural way by means of abdominal straining. Reflux is reliably prevented by use of the antireflux nipple valve already familiar from the Kock pouch. If continence during day and night cannot be achieved with the distal sphincter mechanism alone an artificial sphincter can be implanted at the bulbous urethra in men and around the urethral stump in women. Since 1986 16 patients have received S bladders following cystectomy, and implantation of an artificial urinary sphincter has been necessary in 7. All patients are continent by both day and night. The overall complication rate has been low. For 15 patients it is possible to empty the bladder solely by abdominal straining, while in 4 cases additional self-catheterization is necessary. In most cases the urine remains sterile, and gross electrolyte disturbances and acidosis have never been observed. Our indications were: bladder carcinoma in men (T1-2NoMo) with carcinoma-free prostatic urethra, nonfunctional neurogenic bladder, and shrunken bladder following infection or radiation. Psychological acceptance of the procedure, which allows natural voiding with no kind of abdominal wall stoma even after cystectomy, has been excellent.     

Ileocaecal vs ileal neobladder after radical cystectomy in patients with bladder cancer: a comparative study

OBJECTIVE: To compare an ileocaecal orthotopic bladder, (which has been the standard procedure in Egypt for >30 years) with the ileal neobladder, as there is no ideal continent orthotopic bladder replacement for patients after cystectomy for bladder cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between June 1999 and December 2001, 60 patients with invasive bladder cancer were randomized into two groups. Group A comprised 29 patients who had radical cystectomy and reconstruction with an ileal neobladder (median age 50 years, 27 men and two women) and group B included 31 who had an ileocaecal bladder substitution after radical cystectomy (median age 51 years, 28 men and three women). RESULTS: The complication rate after surgery in group A was 17%, with two deaths, one from acute myocardial infarction and the other from haematemesis. In group B, the complication rate was 13%, with two deaths, one from a massive pulmonary embolism and the other from liver cell failure. Daytime continence was achieved in 93% of patients in group A and 90% in group B. The mean (sd) postvoid residual urine volume was larger in group A than group B, at 90 (72) vs 12 (20) mL. Acidosis and hyponatraemia were evident in the patients in group A but in none in group B (P < 0.05). The pelvicalyceal systems were preserved in 85% of patients in group A and 93% in group B during the 2-year follow-up. The mean (sd) renal cortical thickness was less in group A than in group B, at 1.8 (0.5) and 1.9 (0.2) cm, respectively. Although the cystometric capacity was greater and the basal pressure less in group A than B, these were not reflected in the degree of diurnal and nocturnal continence or back pressure on the renal units. CONCLUSION: Continence in both pouches was similar but the renal units were preserved better in the ileocaecal than in the ileal neobladder. Residual urine volume was greater in the ileal neobladder, with its potential complications of infection and stone formation, and acidosis was more evident.     

Present status on bladder replacement--colon bladder replacement]

Bladder replacement using a detubularized right colonic segment was successfully performed on 22 male patients with bladder cancer after radical cystectomy. There were 10 early postoperative complications and one of them required reoperation. Urodynamic studies, performed on 16 patients, showed a low pressure reservoir at a large capacity without any involuntary spikes in every case. Of the 16 patients, 4 were nocturnally enuretic and 1 was partially continent. The other 11 patients (68.8%) were totally continent and voiding well, except one who was on intermittent self-catheterization. The incidence of urinary reservoir infections in patients treated with colon bladder replacement was investigated in 18 patients. The incidence rate of bacteriuria was 5.6% and the positive rate of pyuria was 27.8%. The detection rate of bacteriuria and pyuria was significantly low in patients after colon bladder replacement. These findings indicate that colon bladder replacement can be an ideal option for selected patients with bladder cancer.     

Sigmoid orthotopic neobladder after radical cystectomy for bladder tumour: an Indian experience

OBJECTIVE: To determine the long-term results of constructing a sigmoid neobladder after radical cystectomy for transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the urinary bladder. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 170 patients with TCC of the bladder and a normal sigmoid colon. After radical cystectomy the neobladder was formed by completely detubularizing an isolated sigmoid colon segment. Subsequently patients were followed by clinical, biochemical, radiological and urodynamic assessments. RESULTS: Four patients died soon after surgery; the neobladder-related delayed complications were death in three patients, loss of five renal units, and electrolyte imbalance in five patients. Uretero-intestinal anastomotic narrowing was another frequent delayed complication. Most (97%) patients had nocturnal incontinence, and most voided with a good stream with a minimal postvoid residual urine volume. CONCLUSION: The sigmoid neobladder, despite some limitations, is the best option for diverting urine after radical cystectomy.     

Pelvic floor reconstruction before orthotopic bladder replacement after radical cystectomy for bladder cancer

Female incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse have been defined as contraindications to orthotopic bladder substitution. A 75-old-year woman with slight stress incontinence, Stage III cystocele, and vaginal vault prolapse after subtotal hysterectomy underwent radical cystectomy for Stage T2 bladder cancer. After radical cystectomy, pelvic floor integrity was restored by colposacropexy with a rectangular polypropylene mesh and an ileal reservoir to urethra was constructed. After 1 year of follow-up, she had complete daytime continence and only needed to wear a pad during the night. Her postvoid residual urine volume was constantly less than 100 mL.     

Management of the urethra in patients undergoing radical cystectomy for bladder carcinoma

Urethral carcinoma recurrence after radical cystectomy for bladder carcinoma is a rare but devastating condition. Among 140 male patients submitted to radical cystectomy, urethral carcinoma recurrence occurred in 11. Nine of whom died. Nine other patients underwent urethrectomy at the time of cystectomy or shortly afterwards. Five are alive with no evidence of disease, 4 died of local recurrence or distant metastasis. Prophylactic urethrectomy should be performed in the presence of carcinoma in situ in the prostatic urethra or involvement of the prostatic urethra from the bladder tumor. These criteria should be considered as an absolute contraindication for substitution enteroplasty.     

Colon pouch (Mainz III) for continent urinary diversion

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of a continent cutaneous pouch made exclusively of colon (Mainz pouch III), as excellent results with the Mainz pouch III in irradiated patients suggested that the indication for this type of urinary diversion could be extended. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The outcome of 24 patients with continent cutaneous urinary diversions using colon segments (Mainz pouch III) was investigated retrospectively. Overall, 22 of the patients had a malignant disease and two a benign disease; 16 had a hysterectomy and pelvic exenteration for gynaecological tumours; two men with a rhabdomyosarcoma of the prostate had a radical cystoprostatectomy; one woman had pelvic exenteration for bladder cancer; one man had a simultaneous rectum resection due to infiltrating rectal cancer, and another a left nephrectomy with cystectomy for concomitant kidney and bladder tumour. Benign indications were hyper-reflexive bladder after polytrauma and two cases of neurogenic bladder dysfunction. Eighteen patients had radiotherapy (32-48 Gy) before the urinary diversion. RESULTS: The mean (range) follow-up was 35 (12-65) months. The mean pouch capacity was 293.8 mL. Three patients died during the follow-up (two from disease progression and one suicide); 20 patients were fully continent, four with reduced pouch capacity (<300 mL) had slight incontinence and are wearing a protective pad (band-aid at the umbilicus). All patients use intermittent self-catheterization (mean catheterization frequency 6.8/day, range 6-12). Complications related to the pouch were one outlet stenosis that required revision. Postoperative pouchograms showed asymptomatic reflux in four patients. None of the patients developed metabolic acidosis or diarrhoea. CONCLUSIONS: The Mainz pouch III is an alternative to other types of continent urinary diversion.