Application of the Mitrofanoff principle for intermittent self-catheterization in quadriplegic patients

Patients with cervical spinal cord lesions have impaired hand function, which often prohibits clean intermittent self-catheterization (CIC), especially in female patients. Enabling these patients to perform CIC gives them control of their bladder management and can improve their quality of life considerably. We have used an appendicovesicostomy to provide easy access for CIC in such patients.

Five patients (4 women, 1 man) with a mean age of 31 years (range 20 to 52) and a mean duration of the cervical cord lesion of 22 months (range 7 to 37) underwent appendicovesicostomy. Three patients were young victims of motor vehicle accidents, 1 patient had a progressive rheumatoid arthritic disorder, and 1 patient had a complex functional paraplegia syndrome and underwent bladder augmentation at the same time.

The surgical procedure with the creation of a catheterizable stoma in the right lower abdominal quadrant was successful in all cases but was complicated by mechanical ileus in the patient with simultaneous bladder augmentation. All patients learned to perform independent CIC with continuing anticholinergic medication. Stomal stenosis did not occur in any of the 5 patients, and urinary tract infections occurred once in 2 patients and repeatedly in 1 patient. Three of 5 patients have been enabled by independent bladder management to achieve occupational rehabilitation.

Appendicovesicostomy is a suitable procedure in patients with cervical spinal cord lesions who are otherwise unable to perform independent CIC. The creation of a catheterizable abdominal stoma enables these patients to gain independent control of their bladder management. However, caution in patient selection is advisable as probably the best results are achieved in highly motivated, younger patients with traumatic cervical cord lesions.