Bladder reconstruction: a critical reappraisal

The operative management of muscle invasive bladder cancer has been dramatically advanced by the advent of orthotopic reconstruction. Several studies reported during the past year have further demonstrated the utility of this form of urinary diversion. The long-term safety and efficacy of bladder replacement with respect to both surgical and metabolic complications has been demonstrated. As series include more patients with sufficient follow up, we are gaining a better appreciation of the results of treatment that patients and urologists can expect in terms of function and risk of complications. Taken together, published studies have made the following important points. Exenterative surgery as currently performed alters pelvic floor/urethral physiology. Early reports of complications in studies with short periods of follow up are not meaningful. When basic principles and complication rates are established for a procedure in the long term, sufficient follow up is required before it can be established that a modification to that procedure really is better. The occurrence of retention in a female patient with orthotopic bladder continues to be poorly understood.