Bladder augmentation and/or continent urinary diversion: 10-year experience

We evaluated the success and the long-term complications associated with augmentation cystoplasty and/or continent urinary diversion in children with urinary incontinence due to neurogenic or malformed bladder.

The records of 23 patients (12 females, 11 males) who underwent such procedures between 1994 and 2004 were reviewed retrospectively. The most common type of augmentation cystoplasty was ileocystoplasty. The most common type of conduit for the urinary continent diversion was appendicovesicostomy. Combined bladder neck closure was not performed systematically. Neocystoureterostomy was done in 14 refluxing ureters.

Of the 21 patients who underwent augmentation cystoplasty, only one was incontinent after the procedure and required reconstruction of the bladder neck using the Young-Dees procedure. The most common complications were stomal stenosis and bladder stone formation.

Augmentation cystoplasty and continent urinary diversion procedures can increase the functional capacity of the small bladder and allow the majority of patients to achieve continence while preserving renal function. Combined bladder neck closure is not necessary to obtain urinary continence; on the contrary, it eliminates a useful pop-off mechanism. Neocystouretrostomy is not required for every refluxing ureter unless it can be performed on the original bladder. Bladder stones and stomal stenosis are the most significant long-term complications in these patients.