Multilayered small intestinal submucosa is inferior to autologous bowel for laparoscopic bladder augmentation

PURPOSE: Bladder augmentation is most commonly performed with ileum. However, porcine small intestinal submucosa has been reported as a substitute for bowel for incorporation into the urinary tract. We assessed the feasibility and long-term 12-month results of laparoscopic bladder augmentation with ileum or multilayered small intestinal submucosa (Cook Biotech, Spencer, Indiana) in a porcine model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed laparoscopically assisted hemicystectomy and bladder augmentation in 24 female Yucatan mini-pigs using an ileal segment (12) or multilayered small intestinal submucosa (12). The followup protocol included anesthetic bladder capacity, renal ultrasonography and serum chemistry. At 3, 6 and 12 months, respectively, 4 animals per group were scheduled for sacrifice and pathological analysis. RESULTS: Despite longer anastomotic time in the multilayered small intestinal submucosa group (120 versus 91 minutes, p = 0.026) total operative time was similar in the 2 groups. In each group bladder capacity increased with time but by 12 months bladder capacity was significantly better in the bowel than in the small intestinal submucosa group (825 versus 431 cc, p = 0.016). At 3 months pathological evaluation revealed that the multilayered regenerated bladder patch had shrunken and by 6 months it was replaced by dense calcified scar tissue. Long-term 6 and 12-month bladder capacity in the small intestinal submucosa group was the result of the regeneration of native bladder with exclusion of the whole multilayered patch in the majority of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic bladder augmentation using multilayered small intestinal submucosa produced functional and pathological results inferior to those of bowel at 12-month followup in a porcine model.     

Functional and biochemical alterations in the rabbit urinary bladder following ileocystoplasty

Although the use of ileocystoplasty has increased significantly in recent years, very little is known concerning the smooth muscle properties of the implanted bowel segment. In a previous study, preliminary evidence was presented which indicated that the pharmacological response of the cytoplastic ileal segment to autonomic agonists changed toward that of the bladder. The present study extends and expands these preliminary observations on the physiology and pharmacology of augmentation cystoplasty. Augmentation cystoplasty with detubularized ileum was carried out in 16 rabbits. In vivo and in vitro physiological and pharmacological studies were carried out one and three months after surgery. The results can be summarized as follows: 1) in-vivo CMG at one month was similar to that of the preoperative bladder, but at three months there was a 24% increase in capacity, with the presence of multiple phasic contractions beginning at a volume of approximately 65% of capacity. 2) The frequency and magnitude of spontaneous activity in the cystoplastic ileum did not significantly alter from that of the normal ileum. 3) Cystoplastic ileum responded to muscarinic stimulation differently from the normal ileum. The bladder responded with an increase in the tension whereas the ileum responded with an increase in the frequency and amplitude of phasic contractions. The cystoplastic ileum responded with a pronounced sustained contraction with phasic contractions superimposed. The tonic contraction at three months was of a significantly greater magnitude than that at one month. 4) The qualitative and quantitative response to field stimulation of the cystoplastic ileum was altered from that of the ileum towards that of the bladder. 5) The normal bladder contains greater amount of creatine phosphate and lesser amounts of creatine than the normal ileum. Cystoplasty, after three months induced a change in the ileal segment towards the bladder (increased creatine phosphate and decreased creatine). 6) The normal ileum was found to have greater number of muscarinic receptors than the normal bladder whereas the cystoplastic ileum at three months was intermediate.     

Effect of ileocystoplasty on contractile response of the bladder,ileum, and cystoplastic ileal segment

Bladder augmentation or substitution with ileal segments is being used to a greater extent in recent years. The goal of the present study is to characterize the physiologic and pharmacologic changes in the ileal segment that occur following ileal cystoplasty. Four weeks following ileocystoplasty in rabbits, the contractile response of sections of normal terminal ileum, bladder body, and the cystoplastic segment of ileum (ileocystoplasty) was studied in isolated muscle baths. Results were as follows: 1) The ileum responded to a maximal dose of bethanechol with an increase in the amplitude and frequency of phasic contractions whereas the bladder displayed a rapid and sustained increase in basal tension. The cystoplastic ileal segment showed a marked increase in basal tension with superimposed phasic contractions. 2) Maximally effective doses of ATP and methoxamine reduced tension in the normal ileal segments but contracted both the bladder and cystoplastic ileal segments. 3) Isoproterenol reduced tension in all three segments. The pharmacological response of the cystoplastic segment of ileum significantly shifted from that of the ileum toward the response of the bladder. This effect is important as a manifestation of the functional plasticity of smooth muscle.     

Bone marrow stem cells for urologic tissue engineering

OBJECTIVES: Experiments in rats and dogs have demonstrated the potential of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for urinary tract tissue engineering. However, the small graft size in rats and a failure to identify the MSCs in engineered tissues made it difficult to assess the true potential of these cells. Our goals were to characterize MSCs from pigs, determine their ability to differentiate into smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and use them in an autologous augmentation cystoplasty. METHODS: MSCs were isolated from pigs and analyzed for common markers of MSCs by flow cytometry. SMC differentiation was determined by immunoblotting. MSCs were isolated, genetically labeled, expanded in vitro, seeded onto small intestinal submucosa (SIS) and used for autologous bladder augmentation. RESULTS: Porcine MSCs are morphologically and immunophenotypically similar to human MSCs. Culturing MSCs at low density enhances proliferation rates. MSCs consistently differentiate into mature SMCs in vitro when maintained at confluence. Labeled MSCs grew on SIS over one week in vitro and survived a 2-week implantation as an autologous bladder augment in vivo. Some label-positive cells with SMC morphology were detected, but most SMCs were negative. Notably, many cells with a urothelial morphology stained positively. CONCLUSIONS: Porcine MSCs have similar properties to MSCs from other species and consistently undergo differentiation into mature SMC in vitro under specific culture conditions. Labeled MSCs within SIS may assist tissue regeneration in augmentation cystoplasty but may not significantly incorporate into smooth muscle bundles.     

Quo vadis? Ureteric reimplantation or ignoring reflux during augmentation cystoplasty

OBJECTIVE: To decide whether antireflux surgery should be used in the presence of vesico-ureteric reflux (VUR) in children, in whom an augmentation procedure is needed, because secondary VUR in children with a neurogenic bladder, infravesical obstruction and primary VUR in the exstrophy-epispadias complex is expected to resolve after augmentation, which decreases the intravesical pressure and increases capacity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1987 and 2001, the bladder was augmented in 38 children, using no antireflux surgery in group 1 (15 patients) and antireflux surgery in group 2 (23 patients). RESULTS: VUR was detected in all patients on cysto-urethrography before surgery; reflux resolved after augmentation cystoplasty in 97% and 93% of refluxing units in groups 1 and 2, respectively. The increase in the expected bladder capacity was from 35% to 86% in group 1 and from 38% to 90% in group 2. No patient had any deterioration in renal function. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend using only augmentation in patients with low- or high-grade VUR and a neurogenic bladder, infravesical obstruction and exstrophy-epispadias. Combining antireflux surgery with cystoplasty has no significant effect on either the resolution of VUR or renal function.     

Le Duc-Camey antireflux ureteroileal reimplantation for continent ileal reservoir]

Le Duc-Camey antireflux ureteroileal reimplantation was used on 15 patients with 30 ureters reimplanted into the ileum as part of a bladder substitution procedure (Kock pouch or ileal neobladder: U-bladder) or augmentation cystoplasty (Goodwin ileocystoplasty). In our experience, no reflux was observed, while hydronephrosis was identified in one ureter of ileal neobladder (4%). Le Duc-Camey antireflux ureteroileal reimplantation is suitable for reconstruction with the ileal reservoir.     

Detubularization-induced contractile response change of the ileum following ileocystoplasty.

We reported previously that following ileocystoplasty the structure and pharmacologic response of the implanted ileum changes towards that of the bladder. Specifically, the relaxation response to alpha adrenergic (methoxamine) and purinergic (ATP) stimulation reverses to a contractile response one month after the ileal segment is surgically made part of the urinary bladder. The present study was designed to investigate possible signals for this change and also to determine whether bladder responses would mimic the ileum if surgically interposed into the ileal stream. Rabbits in group 1 underwent bladder interposition into the functioning terminal ileum, rabbits in group 2 underwent tubularized ileocystoplasty and rabbits in group 3 underwent detubularized ileocystoplasty with urinary diversion. Twelve rabbits survived and were available for evaluation; five in group 1, three in group 2 and four in group 3. Analysis was done six weeks after surgery. In group 1 animals, the interposed bladder showed epithelial changes towards ileum and also a change in its in-vitro contractile responses towards that of ileum. In group 2 animals the tubular cystoplastic ileum showed minimal functional and morphologic changes. In group 3 animals, the defunctionalized, detubular cystoplastic ileum showed alpha adrenergic and purinergic response changes towards bladder. These results indicate that detubularization with interruption in the arrangement of smooth muscle fibers as well as the breach in the integrity of neuronal connections is likely to be the primary signal for the change in the ileum towards bladder induced by cystoplasty. The results can not rule out reinnervation of the intestinal segment by bladder nerves. In addition these data demonstrate that the pharmacologic response of the bladder changes towards the ileum within six weeks after the bladder is surgically made part of the ileum.     

Reconstruction of the lower urinary tract: observations on bowel dynamics and the artificial urinary sphincter

In 14 patients the lower urinary tract was reconstructed using bowel and the artificial urinary sphincter. Of these patients 11 underwent augmentation cystoplasty. The ileocecal segment was used in 4, cecum in 4 and ileum in 3. Total reconstruction of the lower urinary tract was done using the sigmoid colon in 2 patients and an ileocecocolonic segment in 1. Significant bowel contractions were seen in all segments of the large bowel, including the ileocecal segment, which resulted in urinary incontinence in 3 patients with the artificial urinary sphincter and reflux in 3. The ileal cup-patch technique consistently produced low bladder pressures with excellent compliance and an adequate volume. Because of the unpredictable bowel contractions observed in the ileocecal, sigmoid and cecal segments we recommend that augmentation cystoplasty be performed using the cup-patch technique. This procedure will ensure the virtual absence of bowel contractions, and is associated with excellent compliance and capacity.     

Laparoscopic augmentation cystoplasty with different biodegradable grafts in an animal model

PURPOSE: Recently a variety of biodegradable organic materials have been used for bladder wall replacement. We sought to study the effectiveness of 4 different types of biodegradable materials for bladder augmentation using laparoscopic techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty one minipigs underwent successful transperitoneal laparoscopic partial cystectomy and subsequent closure (6 control) or patch augmentation (25): porcine bowel acellular tissue matrix (ATM) (6), bovine pericardium (BPC) (6), human placental membranes (HPM) (6) or porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS) (7). An intracorporeal suturing technique with the EndoStitch device (U.S. Surgical, Norwalk, CT) and Lapra-Ty clips (Ethicon, Enodsurgery Inc. Cincinnati, OH) was used to anastomose the graft to the bladder wall. Postoperatively, a urethral catheter was left for one week. Bladders were evaluated by cystoscopy at 6 and 12 weeks and harvested at 12 weeks. RESULTS: Grafts remained in place in all groups except for the BPC group, where all grafts failed to incorporate. For the ATM and SIS groups, at 6 weeks, there was mucosal coverage of the grafts without evidence of encrustation. In the control group, at 12 weeks, the bladder capacity was 23% less than preoperatively. In the ATM, HPM and SIS groups, at 12 weeks, the bladder capacities were larger than preoperatively by 16%, 51% and 43% respectively; also the grafts had contracted to 70%, 65%, and 60% of their original sizes, respectively. Histologically, there was patchy epithelialization of ATM and SIS grafts with a mixture of squamoid and transitional cell epithelia. The graft persisted as a well-vascularized fibrous band in HPM, ATM, and SIS without evidence of significant inflammatory response. CONCLUSION: A laparoscopic technique for partial bladder wall replacement using a free graft is feasible. The biodegradable grafts of ATM, HPM and SIS are tolerated by host bladder and are associated with predominantly only mucosal regeneration at 12 weeks post-operatively.     

Surgery for detrusor overactivity

Intractable detrusor overactivity can result in considerable morbidity and, in the case of neurogenic bladder dysfunction, can put the upper tracts at risk. Once conservative treatments have been exhausted the aim of surgery is to increase functional bladder capacity and decrease the maximal detrusor pressure at this capacity. The mainstay of contemporary therapy has been augmentation cystoplasty; the different techniques and recent literature are reviewed herein. Bladder autoaugmentation is compared and contrasted with augmentation cystoplasty and its role is discussed, as is the less invasive technique of sacral neuromodulation with reference to their role within the range of surgical treatments for detrusor activity.     

回肠膀胱扩大术治疗结核性挛缩膀胱的效果观察

目的探讨回肠膀胱扩大术治疗结核性挛缩膀胱的诊治经验及疗效。方法回顾性分析2016年9月至2017年8月遵义医科大学附属医院7例晚期泌尿系结核患者的临床资料。所有患者经抗结核治疗2~4周后行患肾切除术,并在抗结核治疗2~6个月后行保留原膀胱的回肠膀胱扩大术。结果所有患者术后平均住院13.6d,均能自行排尿,术后2周最大膀胱容量扩大至120~209mL,平均180mL。术后1个月膀胱最大容量扩大至310~375mL,平均354mL。健侧肾积水、肾功能损伤以及膀胱残余尿情况在术后有加重趋势,尤其在术后3个月最严重,但术后6个月上述情况均较术后3个月时明显好转(P<0.05),而与术前比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。术后1个月生活质量评分(SF-36)与术前比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),而术后3个月及术后6个月生活质量较术前改善,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。所有患者尿频、尿急、尿失禁症状均有明显改善,肾功能未出现进一步恶化。结论保留原膀胱的回肠膀胱扩大术是治疗晚期肾结核挛缩膀胱的有效方法。     

Augmentation myoperitoneocystoplasty

The use of isolated intestinal segments is currently the best method of augmenting bladder capacity. The ability to perform a successful augmentation cystoplasty using nonintestinal tissue would decrease the morbidity of the operation. We studied the use of skeletal muscle-backed parietal peritoneal tissue in augmentation cystoplasty. In the experimental group animals, bladder capacity increased by 67% and urothelial regeneration was observed histologically. Problems with electrolyte abnormalities, urosepsis, or excessive mucous production were not encountered. In conclusion, a myoperitoneal flap may serve as a template for augmentation cystoplasty. Further investigation using this technique is warranted.     

Supratrigonal cystectomy and ileocystoplasty in management of interstitial cystitis

BACKGROUND: Interstitial cystitis is a chronic non-infectious inflammatory disease of the bladder of unknown aetiology which is characterized by irritative voiding symptoms and suprapubic pain related to bladder filling. Surgical treatment is indicated in severely symptomatic patients when medical therapies have failed, usually after a period of several years. The authors' experience with a modified technique of ileocystoplasty following supratrigonal cystectomy performed in five patients with interstitial cystitis is presented here. METHODS: A modified technique of bladder augmentation using ileum following supratrigonal bladder resection is described. RESULTS: All patients experienced relief from their symptoms. No patient had residual bladder pain and urinary frequency settled down in all. Bladder capacity was increased significantly. Three patients voided spontaneously postoperatively and two required clean intermittent self-catheterization. CONCLUSIONS: Supratrigonal cystectomy and ileocystoplasty can be a satisfactory option in refractory cases of interstitial cystitis. A simplified technique of ileal bladder construction that provides satisfactory bladder capacity is presented. Most urologists are familiar with ileal surgery, having used the ileum as a conduit after cystectomy for urinary diversion.     

A surgical model of composite cystoplasty with cultured urothelial cells: a controlled study of gross outcome and urothelial phenotype

OBJECTIVES: To study the outcome of composite cystoplasty using cultured urothelial cells combined with de-epithelialized colon or uterus in a porcine surgical model, using appropriate controls, and to characterize the neo-epithelium created by composite cystoplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Urothelial cells were isolated and propagated in vitro from open bladder biopsies taken from nine female minipigs. Cohesive sheets of confluent urothelial cells were transferred to polyglactin carrier meshes and sutured to de-epithelialized autologous colon in four animals and de-epithelialized autologous uterus in five. These composite segments were then used for augmentation cystoplasty. Conventional colocystoplasty, de-epithelialized colocystoplasty and sham operations were carried out in six control animals. After killing the animals at approximately 90 days the bladders were removed for examination and immunohistochemical analysis, using a panel of antibodies against cytokeratins and urothelial differentiation-associated antigens. RESULTS: Macroscopically, the bladders augmented with composite segments derived from uterine muscle had no evidence of shrinkage or contracture. Histological analysis showed that in four of five composite uterocystoplasties, the neo-urothelium was stratified and had a transitional morphology, although in some areas coverage was incomplete. Immunohistochemical analysis showed evidence of squamous differentiation in both native and augmented segments. All composite and de-epithelialized colonic segments showed significant contraction with poor urothelial coverage, reflecting the unsuitability of the thin-walled porcine colon for de-epithelialization. CONCLUSIONS: The functional and macroscopic outcome of bladder augmentation with a composite derived from cultured urothelium and de-epithelialized smooth muscle of uterine origin endorses the feasibility of composite cystoplasty.     

Augmentation ileocystoplasty: An experimental study in dogs

We report a technique of ileal augmentation cystoplasty allowing the tailoring of a "made-to-measure" cystoplasty of an adequate size with two or three ileal loops. The wound healing at the borderline between the bladder plate and the pediculated transplant is studied by light- and electron microscopic techniques.     

Continent urinary diversion and the exstrophy-epispadias complex

PURPOSE: The use of continent urinary reservoirs has gained wide acceptance, particularly in urinary reconstruction in children with a small capacity or neuropathic bladder. When augmentation cystoplasty is combined with clean intermittent catheterization, patients are often able to achieve continence with low intravesical filling pressures and renal preservation. Often this approach requires fashioning a continent cutaneous stoma, which remains the most challenging aspect of continent urinary reservoirs. We analyzed our experience with continent diversion in patients with exstrophy-epispadias to determine complications and long-term results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective database review of 704 cases of exstrophy-epispadias. Medical records were then used to identify those patients who had undergone creation of a continent urinary reservoir. Charts were reviewed to determine initial diagnosis, augmentation technique, continence mechanism, age, preoperative and postoperative bladder capacity, continence status and complications. RESULTS: Of the 91 patients identified (68 male, 23 female) who had undergone continent urinary diversion classic bladder exstrophy was present in 80, cloacal exstrophy in 8, complete male epispadias in 2 and female epispadias in 1. The most common techniques for augmentation and continent diversion were ileocystoplasty (41 patients [45%]) and sigmoid cystoplasty (30 [33%]), respectively. Appendix was used in 67 patients (74%) and variants of the Mitrofanoff procedure using segments of tapered ileum or ureter were used to create a continent stoma in 10 (11%). Bladder neck transection was performed in 59 patients (65%). Mean age at augmentation and continent diversion was 8 years (range 2 to 25), with a mean preoperative bladder capacity of 77 cc (15 to 220). Mean followup was 6 years (range 6 months to 12 years). Of the 91 patients 85 (93%) were continent with clean intermittent catheterization per stoma. Of these 85 patients 13 required anticholinergics and alpha-agonists to achieve continence. Six patients (7%) were incontinent after the procedure. Analysis of bladder capacity measurements after augmentation and continent diversion revealed that mean postoperative volume and mean volume increase were 404 cc (range 250 to 640) and 524%, respectively. The most common complications were bladder stone formation (24 patients [26%]) and stomal stenosis (21 [23%]). Bladder stones recurred in 9 patients and stomal stenosis in 3. Other less common complications were vesicourethral fistula (3 patients) and a small bladder perforation (2). CONCLUSION: Augmentation and continent diversion procedures can increase the functional capacity of the small contracted noncompliant exstrophic bladder, and allow the vast majority of patients to achieve continence and preserve renal function. Bladder calculi and stomal stenosis pose the most significant long-term complications in these patients.     

Preventing reservoir calculi after augmentation cystoplasty and continent urinary diversion: the influence of an irrigation protocol

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of an irrigation protocol in preventing reservoir calculi forming after augmentation cystoplasty and continent urinary diversion. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1985 and 1995, 91 patients had an augmentation cystoplasty and/or continent urinary diversion (group 1; 54 females and 37 males, mean age 11.1 years, range 1-31); these patients were not routinely instructed to use irrigation after surgery. The segments used included ileum (44), colon (36), stomach (eight) and ureter (three). Between 1995 and 2000, 42 patients (group 2) underwent urinary reconstruction (22 females and 20 males, mean age 14.8 years, range 4-27), the segment used being ileum (30), colon (five), ureter (five) and stomach (two) but in contrast to group 1 they then were placed on a standard prophylactic irrigation protocol. The occurrence of stones in the reservoir was then assessed. RESULTS: Thirty-nine of the 91 patients (42.8%) in group 1 presented with reservoir calculi after reconstruction and 22 had several episodes. The mean time to presentation was 30 months. The incidence of stone formation by underlying diagnosis included: myelomeningocele, 32/48 (66%), exstrophy five/25 (25%), posterior urethral valves two/20 (10%) and rhabdomyosarcoma, none of three. Fifty of the 91 patients had an abdominal stoma, with stone formation in 33 (66%), while 41 used the native urethra, with stone formation in six (15%). Three (7%) of the 42 patients in group 2 developed reservoir calculi after reconstruction, two in patients with myelomeningocele and one in a trauma patient who had residual bone spicules in the bladder; the mean time to presentation was 26.5 months. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that the irrigation protocol used in group 2 significantly reduced the number of reservoir calculi after urinary tract reconstruction when bowel was used as part of the reconstruction (43% vs. 7%). The most calculi in both groups were in immobile patients with sensory impairment. Also, patients with an abdominal stoma had a greater risk of reservoir calculi (66%) than those using the native urethra (15%).     

Intestinal mucosa of dogs with ileocystoplasties. Long-term histologic and histochemical changes

Long-term (one year) effects of ileum exposed to urine as part of an ileal patch cystoplasty was studied. Some of the villi, particularly near the junction of ileum to bladder, underwent atrophy. Changes in intestinal epithelium are described. Alkaline phosphatase and succinic dehydrogenase activities were diminished in the ileal patch with time. Reduction in succinic dehydrogenase activity was not evident until one year had elapsed.     

Outcome of augmentation sigmoidocystoplasty in children with neurogenic bladder

PURPOSE: The role of augmentation cystoplasty in the neuropathic bladder has been well determined since clean intermittent self-catheterization (CISC) has been accepted as a treatment modality in voiding dysfunction. We present our clinical experience with sigmoid augmentation cystoplasty in children with neurogenic bladder disorder. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From 1991 to 1997 sigmoid augmentation cystoplasty with modified clam technique was performed in 18 cases with neuropathic bladder pathologies. In 4 cases, ureteroneocystostomy was performed, 2 of whom were bilateral. Age range of these patients was 5-17 years (mean 10.3 years) and follow-up period was from 16 to 70 months (mean 41 months). RESULTS: Pyuria was detected in 10 cases and 2 of them were symptomatic. Clinical acidosis was detected in only 1 case. Fifteen cases (83%) were continent by using CISC with 4-6 hourly and detrusor pressure lower than 30 cm water at maximal bladder capacity. CONCLUSION: In children with neurogenic bladder pathologies refractory to conservative management, augmentation cystoplasty with CISC is an effective treatment modality in protecting the upper urinary tract and preventing incontinence.