[Open surgical therapy of interstitial cystitis]

Treatment of IC is one of the most difficult therapeutic challenges in urology, frequently resulting in frustration for both patient and therapist. Many urologists believe that conservative treatment should not be unnecessarily prolonged in severe cases with low bladder capacity, since cystectomy may provide immediate and permanent relief for the suffering patient. However, it remains unclear which surgical approach and technique is the most suitable. Generally three different techniques are performed: supratrigonal cystectomy; radical cystectomy, saving only the bladder neck; and, finally, radical cystectomy combined with excision of the urethra. All three techniques require substitution of the excised bladder tissue with bowel segments.