Continent urinary reservoir formation with transverse colon for patients with pelvic irradiation

The creation of a continent transverse colon pouch for patients who had previously received radiation therapy for cervical cancer was attempted.

Three patients underwent construction of a continent urinary reservoir. Approximately 30 cm of a transverse colon segment was isolated for constructing a pouch. A reconfigured colon segment was used in two cases as a continent valve and the appendix was used in one case. Both ureters were implanted submucosally into the pouch in two patients and a reconfigured colon was also used to reconstruct a defect of the ureter in one patient.

All patients could catheterize the pouch easily via the cutaneous stoma without incontinence. No complications were noted.

In the event that a urinary diversion is necessary for a patient who has previously had radiation therapy, the transverse colon pouch can be a useful method to improve the quality of life. In addition, versatility of the reconfigured colon segment enables the colon pouch to be adapted to adverse clinical situations.