[Historic evolution of the use of the intestine in urology]

Knowing the history of Urology has allowed urologists to recover techniques which had been abandoned for different reasons, yet when modified or utilized with current technological advancements, have proved to be very useful. A brief review of the history of urinary diversion clearly shows that it has evolved in parallel with the important diseases; i.e., vesical exstrophy, urinary tuberculosis and bladder cancer. Time tests all new, and thus controversial, concepts or procedures. They become either well established or are condemned to oblivion. All the experience, both successes and failures, that make up the history of Urology undoubtedly contribute towards finding new therapeutic alternatives.