Quality of life survey of urinary diversion patients: comparison of ileal conduits versus continent Kock ileal reservoirs

There has been a recent marked increase in interest in continent urinary diversions. While considerable time has been spent on the technical aspects of these diversions the psychological impact has not yet been fully explored. We describe an extensive survey that was conducted among 100 consecutive adults (87 respondents) who had undergone urinary diversion via an ileal conduit and 100 consecutive adults (85 respondents) in whom a continent Kock ileal reservoir was created during the last 3 to 5 years at our university by the same surgeons. The Kock pouch patients were stratified further into 63 with primary diversion and 22 who underwent conversion from previous conduit diversions. The survey consisted of a questionnaire that included a social and sexual survey, the Beck Depressive Inventory, the Profile of Mood States and a physical impact study. The results revealed that all patients surveyed generally were satisfied with the diversions and they had adapted reasonably socially, physically and psychologically. The key to adaptation seemed to be a detailed, realistic preoperative education about the type of diversion used. Patients with ileal conduit diversions had the lowest expectations of the form of diversion as defined by the preoperative awareness of the need to wear an external ostomy appliance with its associated inconveniences and change in the external body image. Postoperatively, ileal conduit patients also had the poorest self images as defined by a decrease in sexual desire and in all forms of physical contact (sexual and nonsexual). The subset of patients who underwent conversion from conduit diversions to Kock pouches, however, were statistically the most satisfied, and they were the most physically and sexually active. We conclude that the Kock continent urostomy offers an important alternative to noncontinent forms of diversion.     

Long-time experience with the Kock ileal reservoir for continent urinary diversion.

OBJECTIVES: N.G. Kock performed the first continent cutaneous ileal reservoir for urinary diversion in 1975 at the Sahlgrenska University Hospital, G?teborg, Sweden. We have investigated the fate of the patients operated during the following 25 years at this hospital and analyzed their health-related quality of life (SF-36) as well as their psychological adjustment to a life with a continent urinary reservoir (OAS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 1975 and 1999, 176 patients underwent continent urinary diversion using a Kock reservoir. At the end of 1999, 126 patients were known to be alive. Their reservoir function was estimated from their journals as well as from a questionnaire answered by the patients. RESULTS: Almost 90% of the survivors had a well-functioning reservoir at the time of follow-up. The need for reoperation has been high, mainly due to nipple problems. Kidney function is not influenced by the continent diversion per se. The health status of the patients is more influenced by the underlying disease than by their reservoirs. Patients with benign functional or inflammatory diseases experience comparatively more problems with their reservoirs. CONCLUSIONS: The functional end results as well as patient acceptance of continent urinary diversion with a Kock reservoir are excellent.     

Ongoing experience with the kock continent ileal reservoir for urinary diversion

Summary The continent ileal reservoir, as introduced by Dr. Nils Kock, presents an intriguing but challenging option in the field of urinary diversion. From August 1982 through December 1984, 157 patients underwent this type of surgery at our institution. Of these patients, 103 underwent simultaneous radical cystectomy for cancer, 42 had a previous urinary diversion of another type, and 12 had neurogenic bladders. Our experience represents a series of expected complications and ongoing modifications to the surgical technique. A total of 24 patients experienced early complications requiring 6 reoperations, and 32 patients were noted to have 41 late complications necessitating 33 further revisional surgeries. There were 3 operative mortalities and 12 late deaths due to nonoperative causes. Three patients required conversion of their Kock pouch to an ileal conduit. The end result leaves 139 patients for chronic follow-up, of whom 134 are doing extremely well and fit all of the criteria for a successful continent diversion. They catheterize every 5–6 h with a mean reservoir capacity of 800–1000 cc and wear only a small pad over their stoma. The long-term results continue to be encouraging and suggest that the continent ileal reservoir is a definite alternative for the patient who requires a cutaneous urinary diversion and who is seeking an improved quality of life.     

Clinical experience with the Kock continent ileal reservoir for urinary diversion

From August 1982 through January 1984, 51 patients underwent urinary diversion that included creation of a continent reservoir from an ileal segment, according to the method described originally by Kock. An important modification included removal of a narrow strip of mesentery for 8 cm. along the afferent and efferent limbs of the pouch to allow adequate ileal intussusception, and fixation to prevent reflux and to ensure continence. Previous urinary diversion was by ureterosigmoidostomy in 3 patients, standard ileal conduit in 7 and suprapubic cystotomy in 1. A total of 39 patients underwent simultaneous anterior exenteration for pelvic malignancy. There was 1 postoperative death and early complications occurred in 10 patients. Of these 10 patients 4 required reoperation: 2 for drainage of a pelvic abscess, 1 for conversion to a standard ileal conduit and 1 for bleeding. Late complications occurred in only 8 patients: 5 required reoperation and revision of the continence valve mechanism, and 3 required hospitalization for brief episodes of pyelonephritis. The end result in 49 of 50 patients has been an overwhelming success. Patients perform self-catheterization every 4 to 6 hours during the day and once at night for volumes ranging up to 1,400 cc. Serum electrolytes have remained normal and hyperchloremic acidosis has been encountered in only 1 patient who had had compromised renal function preoperatively with hyperchloremic acidosis as a result of previous ureterosigmoidostomy. X-rays of the Kock pouch have shown evidence of reflux in only 1 patient, and all excretory urograms have demonstrated either normal upper tracts without obstruction or improvement in patients with preoperative hydronephrosis. Although preliminary, this clinical trial suggests that the quality of life for patients considered previously to be candidates for cutaneous diversion can be improved markedly by a modified Kock continent ileal reservoir.     

回肠壁叠盖式可控输出道的实验研究

目的 探讨经皮可控性尿流改道术中一种新型输出道的控尿能力及应用价值。方法 采用配对比较,在同一段回肠的两端分别缝制肠壁叠盖式输出道和套叠乳头式(Kock)输出道。以整个肠管作为贮尿囊并注入生理盐水,观察贮尿囊压力和肠壁叠盖式输出道中点压力的变化关系,并且测定两种输出道的失控压力。结果 肠壁叠盖式输出道中点压力与贮尿囊压力呈正相关性。其直线回归方程为:输出道中点压力(cmH2O)=18.71+0.95×贮尿囊压力。肠壁叠盖法失控压力明显高于套叠乳头法(P<0.01)。结论 肠壁叠盖法输出道操作简单,控尿能力强,需要的肠管少,适用性广,是一种值得进一步研究的可控性输出道制作法。     

The continent ileal reservoir (kock pouch) for urinary diversion

Summary Urinary diversion via a continent ileal reservoir was performed in 31 patients. The diversion was a primary procedure in 11 patients, while in 18 it was performed to convert an existing urinary diversion to a continent diversion. In two patients, malfunctioning cecocystoplasties were converted to continent ileum reservoirs. There were no operative mortalities and few early complications. Late complications causing malfunction of the nipple valves required revisional surgery in 15 patients. Postoperative follow-up presently is between 6 months and 10 years. Two patients have died: one in an accident and one of metastatic bladder carcinoma. The remaining 29 patients are continent and without reflux to the upper urinary tract. The reservoir is emptied by catheterization 4–5 times daily, not at night. The volume capacity of the reservoir is around 700 ml. One-third of our patients had constantly negative quantitative urine cultures, whereas two-thirds either had intermittent or constant bacteriuria. Dilatation of the upper urinary tract, progressive renal deterioration or metabolic disturbances have not been encountered. All patients are very satisfied with this type of urinary diversion.Urinary diversion is performed in non-malignant as well as malignant bladder diseases; the majority because of bladder carcinoma. However, long-term studies of conventional urinary diversion procedures have shown that there is a high incidence of late complications with progressive deterioration of renal function [11, 13]. As a result, indications for urinary diversion have been critically reconsidered and alternatives have been sought. Bladder replacement is one method which has been suggested. In non-malignant disease, intermittent catheterization and/or uropharmacological manipulation may be auspicious alternatives. The trend against diversion has also led to reconstruction of the urinary tract in cases previously regarded as suitable only for diversion. In this era of critical reappraisal of conventional urinary diversion procedures a new method for continent urinary diversion was elaborated and introduced for clinical use in 1982 [8]. The low-pressure ileal reservoir originally devised for urinary bladder augmentation or replacement [4] and later used for rendering the ileostomy continent in patients after proctocolectomy [7] has, since 1975, been used in our institution for continent supra-vesical urinary diversion. In this paper the operative method is described and our results and experience obtained during a 10-year period are reported.Supported by grants from the Medical Research Council (Project No 577)     

Bowel function in patients with urinary diversion: a gender-matched comparison of continent urinary diversion with the ileocecal pouch and ileal conduit

Purpose

To evaluate stool habits and associated quality of life (QoL) in a matched pair analysis of patients who underwent continent cutaneous diversion using the ileocecal segment [Mainz pouch I (MzPI)] with an intussuscepted ileal nipple as efferent segment with those receiving an ileal conduit (IC) after radical cystectomy.

Methods

We identified 250 patients who underwent radical cystectomy and urinary diversion (UD) with either MzPI with an ileal nipple or IC in our database. A detailed history of stool habits using the modified Wexner score was obtained, and questions addressing general lifestyle, comparison of symptom differences before and after surgery considering bowel function as well as bowel-associated QoL were assessed.

Results

Forty-five age- and sex-matched pairs could be compared. Overall, stool incontinence (p = 0.481) and the Wexner score (p = 0.464) revealed no differences between both groups. However, patients with MzPI as compared to those with IC had significant higher rates of stool frequency (53 vs 31 %), softer stool consistencies (60 vs 13 %), diarrhea (62 vs 20 %) and a lower rate of constipation (4 vs 22 %). Patients with MzPI had a trend toward lower bowel-associated QoL compared with patients with IC. Similarly, the MzPI group reported a significantly impaired overall postoperative QoL (51 %) compared to the IC group (29 %) (p = 0.024).

Conclusions

Patients following UD by MzPI have an increased stool frequency and softer stool consistency. However, there is no difference between both groups in terms of de novo stool incontinence. Change in bowel habits should be part of preoperative informed consent in any kind of UD. Careful patient selection is of paramount importance.

     

Luminal nitric oxide in ileal reservoirs for continent cutaneous diversion or orthotopic bladder reconstruction

OBJECTIVES: To measure mucosal inflammation as reflected in nitric oxide (NO) production in ileal reservoirs for the storage of urine and to correlate it with the growth of bacteria as well as CRP. METHODS: Intraluminal gas NO concentrations were determined using the chemoluminescence technique in 25 patients with continent cutaneous ileal reservoirs (Kock pouch) and 12 patients with orthotopic bladders (hemi-Kock or T-pouch). NO concentrations were determined in both intestinal reservoir gas and silicon catheter balloon gas. Urinary culture and blood CRP determinations were performed. RESULTS: NO concentrations in reservoir gas were higher than in silicon catheter balloons. Bacteriuria was associated with approximately 20 times higher NO concentrations than sterile urine. NO concentrations did not differ between continent cutaneous reservoirs or orthotopic bladders when due attention was paid to variance in the rate of bacteriuria. Elevated CRP was associated with higher NO concentrations. Bacteriuria with acinetobacter, enterococci and pseudomonas appeared to cause comparatively lower NO concentrations. The inflammatory response of reservoir walls to bacteriuria did not decrease with time. CONCLUSIONS: Urine in itself causes much less intestinal wall inflammation than bacteriuria, as reflected in NO production. High CRP values are associated with high NO concentrations. The inflammatory response varies with the bacterial specimens.     

Laparoscopic-assisted continent urinary diversion in obese patients

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The Pfannenstiel incision provides good access to the bladder and bladder neck for major reconstructive surgery in the thin patient, whereas a midline incision is often necessary to get adequate exposure in the obese patient. We describe our experience using laparoscopic-assisted continent urinary diversion in conjunction with other bladder and bladder neck surgery in obese patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Three female patients (mean age 18; mean weight 175 pounds) with neurogenic bladder underwent Mitrofanoff appendicovesicostomy continent urinary diversion to the umbilicus and pubovaginal sling. An umbilical port for the telescope and two lateral ports were used. Once the appendix and right hemicolon had been completely mobilized up to the hepatic flexure, reconstruction was completed through a low Pfannenstiel incision. RESULTS: There were no laparoscopic complications. None of the laparoscopic port sites was visible postoperatively, as one was in the base of the umbilicus, and the other two had been incorporated into the Pfannenstiel incision. With a mean follow-up of 1 year, all patients were continent and catheterizing their umbilicus easily. Pfannenstiel incisions were well healed, and the patients were quite satisfied with their cosmesis. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic-assisted Mitrofanoff appendicovesicostomy continent urinary diversion to the umbilicus can be performed in conjunction with a Pfannenstiel incision to complete major bladder and bladder neck surgery in the obese patient with good postoperative cosmesis. This procedure represents a nice compromise between a very lengthy bladder reconstructive procedure done purely laparoscopically and a midline incision with good exposure but suboptimal cosmesis.     

Intestinal oxalate absorption in patients with continent urinary diversion

The objective of the study is to evaluate the post-operative effect of an orthotopic ileal neobladder or a Mainz pouch I bladder replacement on the extent of intestinal oxalate absorption. Gastrointestinal oxalate absorption was measured in six patients with an orthotopic ileal neobladder and in six patients with a Mainz pouch I bladder replacement. The function test applied was the [¹³C₂]oxalate absorption test. With a range of 5.1–12.4%, the oxalate absorption of these patients was well within the reference range for healthy volunteers. The results from our small study indicate that such continent urinary diversions present no hazard for oxalate hyperabsorption and subsequent calcium oxalate urolithiasis.     

Significance of the antireflux valve for upper urinary tract pressure. An experimental study in patients with urinary diversion via a continent ileal reservoir.

When bladder substitution is required, a low pressure receptacle and an antireflux valve with low resistance to flow is essential for preservation of the upper urinary tract. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether these criteria are attained in the continent ileal reservoir used for urinary diversion. The investigations were performed in six patients more than one year after supravesical urinary diversion via a continent ileal reservoir. The pressure was recorded simultaneously both in the afferent loop and in the reservoir during filling of the reservoir. There was a slow parallel increase in the basal pressure in the reservoir and the afferent loop. Pressure waves appeared sometimes simultaneously and sometimes in only one compartment at a time. Only during short periods of time did the pressure exceed 25 cm of water. The frequency of pressure waves increased with increased filling of the reservoir. The "total pressure" was larger in the reservoir than in the afferent loop. It is the antireflux valve which prevents pressure rises in the reservoir from being conveyed to the upper urinary tract. The resistance to urinary flow was moderate.     

The Kock continent ileal reservoir for supravesical urinary diversion: An early experience

The most commonly employed urinary diversion operations are associated with a high incidence of complications and the disadvantage of requiring an external appliance to collect urine. The Kock continent ileal reservoir, introduced in 1975, provides an intraabdominal receptacle for storage of urine and two nipple valves which maintain continence and prevent ureteral reflux. The reservoir is emptied by self-catheterization; no external appliance is necessary. This operation provides a more ideal substitute for the lower urinary tract than any other urinary diversion procedure thus far reported.The seven patients reported herein have been followed for up to 3 years and enjoy completely continent ileal reservoirs. Follow-up studies have demonstrated that the kidneys are adequately protected from ureteral reflux and ascending infection. Metabolic acidosis has presented no serious problem. All of the patients enjoy a far better quality of life since discarding their external appliances.     

Management of complications after construction of a continent ileal reservoir for urinary diversion

Summary Urinary diversion via a continent ileal reservoir has been performed in our institution for the past 10 years, but has only recently been adopted in several other centers. The technical problems and complications are similar to those encountered with the continent ileostomy, for which considerable experience concerning management of complications has been collected. The nature of the complication is established by patient history, endoscopy, radiological examination or exploration. Early complications include anastomotic leak or necrosis of different parts of the construction due to compromised vascular supply. Late complications were rarely confined to the reservoir itself, but were more often related to the nipple valves. Most complications are corrected by revisional surgery. Due to technical improvements, complications have decreased progressively over the course of time. However, a meticulous technique is instrumental to success, and surgeons performing the continent urostomy should be aware of the complications and their management.     

Voiding pattern, urinary volume, composition and bacterial contamination in patients with urinary diversion via a continent ileal reservoir

A series of 41 patients with a continent ileal reservoir for urinary diversion (Kock pouch) was studied with regard to voiding pattern (voiding frequency), voided volume, urinary composition, bacterial contamination and mucus secretion. The mean voiding frequency in 21 patients was 5/24 h and the time required for the procedure, including the time to cover the stoma with a bandage, was 3 to 5 min; 2 patients voided once or twice at night, while 19 patients never did so. The mean volume voided during the day were significantly smaller than the volume voided in the morning. The total 24-h urinary volume exceeded that of normal individuals but the 24-h secretion of electrolytes was within normal limits. Bacterial contamination was found in most samples of urine. Evacuation was not impeded by the rich mucus content of the urine and mucus production did not diminish with time.     

The management of the Kock continent ileal reservoir urinary diversion with single pigtail self-retaining ileal conduit stents

The use of single pigtail soft silicone self-retaining ileal conduit stents appears to have particular value in the perioperative management of patients with a Kock pouch continent urinary diversion. Stenting provides greater assurance of sustained internal urinary diversion, lessening concern regarding anastomotic leaks from the pouch itself. This technique also allows easy sequential radiographic confirmation of healing without losing the capability for continued internal drainage by these stents if necessary. A protocol for the use of such stents is described.