Clinical applications of the Monti procedure as a continent catheterizable stoma

Monti et al. recently described a technique for the construction of a continent catheterizable conduit using short segments of small bowel in a canine model. We review our experience with 25 adult and pediatric patients in whom the Monti procedure was used in their reconstructive efforts.

Since October 1995, 25 patients (13 males and 12 females), aged 4 to 67 years (median 29), underwent the construction of 29 catheterizable stomas with a short (2.5 cm) segment of bowel following the Monti technique. Twenty-seven tubes were created as urinary stomas and two as part of the Malone antegrade continent enema procedure (MACE). Continence is based on the Mitrofanoff flap valve mechanism. Tubes were created when the appendix was unavailable as part of urinary reconstructive efforts or after exenterative oncologic surgery of the lower urinary tract. Tubes were created using ileum (24) and sigmoid colon (5). Ten tubes (34.5%) were done in combination with a simultaneous bowel patch in the same pedicle for bladder augmentation. Tubes were implanted in the ileum (13), bladder (9), sigmoid colon (3), stomach (1), and descending colon (1). The two tubes created to do a MACE procedure were anastomosed into the cecum. Double tubes were necessary in 7 adult patients for adequate length. The length of the tubes varied from 6 to 14 cm.

Follow-up ranged between 3 and 26 months (mean 13). One adult patient (4%) with bladder cancer died of myocardial infarction 14 days postoperatively. Three patients (12%) received a new Monti tube because of ischemic stenosis of the tube. All of them were continent at a follow-up of 1, 6, and 20 months, respectively. Two patients (8%) experienced leakage through the stoma, requiring additional procedures and pharmacologic manipulation to become continent. All patients used intermittent catheterization through the stoma without problems.

Although the appendix remains the tissue of choice, the Monti procedure has substantial advantages over other efferent catheterizable tubes, including the need for a very short segment of bowel (2.5 cm), adequate lumen size (16F to 18F), length, reliable blood supply, and the versatility to combine with a simultaneous bowel patch in the same pedicle for bladder augmentation.