Urothelium-preserving augmentation cystoplasty covered with a peritoneal flap

To present the results of bladder autoaugmentation covered with a peritoneal flap in patients with bladder dysfunction.

Thirteen patients (seven male and six female, mean age 11.9 years, range 4-25) who underwent autoaugmentation covered with a peritoneal flap were evaluated. Seven had different forms of myelodysplasia, four had spinal cord injury and two had Hinman syndrome as the cause of bladder dysfunction. Indications for augmentation included upper tract deterioration, urinary incontinence and recurrent urinary tract infection, despite anticholin-ergic therapy.

The mean bladder capacity increased by 18.6% after surgery and the mean compliance at capacity increased from 3.4 to 5.8 cmH2O/mL. All patients were incontinent before surgery and continence was achieved in only six afterward. Four patients showed no clinical or urodynamic improvement and required re-augmentation using intestinal segments. Only three patients needed no anticholinergic therapy after surgery. All four patients in whom the procedure failed had capacities of < 30% of that expected for their age. There were no metabolic problems.

Autoaugmentation combined with a peritoneal flap is an easy procedure but the clinical results are poor in some patients, especially those with a small initial bladder capacity. The need for secondary augmentation with enteric segments was common. The use of a peritoneal flap does not appear to increase the capacity and compliance more than is obtained with the classical technique; it may prevent adhesion to the abdominal wall and make a secondary procedure easier. As the increase in capacity and compliance is limited with this technique, a urothelium-preserving augmentation should be reserved for those bladders with a relatively good initial capacity.