Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 11, 2026
Surgical Model for Single-Staged Tissue-Engineered Urothelial Tubes in Minipigs
Published on: July 5, 2024
Outcomes of urinary diversion in children with spinal cord injuries
Lisa A Merenda1, Theresa Duffy, Randal R Betz
1Shriners Hospitals for Children, 3551 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA. lmerenda@shrinenet.org
Insights
The Mitrofanoff procedure significantly improves bladder management independence and patient satisfaction in children with spinal cord injury (SCI). Despite some complications, this urinary diversion technique offers substantial benefits for quality of life.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Pediatric Surgery
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Spinal cord injury (SCI) often leads to complex bladder dysfunction requiring effective management strategies.
- Urinary diversion procedures are crucial for maintaining renal health and improving quality of life in affected children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the outcomes of the Mitrofanoff procedure in pediatric patients with spinal cord injury (SCI).
- To assess improvements in bladder management, patient satisfaction, and quality of life following the Mitrofanoff procedure.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive retrospective study involving 16 individuals (ages 6-27) with SCI who underwent the Mitrofanoff procedure.
- Data collected through retrospective chart review and structured telephone interviews, focusing on demographics, surgical history, urological events, bladder management, independence, satisfaction, and quality of life.
Main Results:
- Complications included stomal stenosis (25%), urethral incontinence (75%), renal/bladder calculi (19%), and stomal leakage (44%).
- Significant improvements in bladder management independence were observed (84% in tetraplegia, 25% in paraplegia).
- High patient satisfaction (88%) was reported, with freedom and independence cited as key quality of life improvements.
Conclusions:
- The Mitrofanoff procedure, despite potential complications, leads to high patient satisfaction and greatly improved independence in bladder management for children with SCI.
- This study supports the Mitrofanoff procedure as a beneficial option for enhancing independence and ease of bladder management in pediatric SCI patients.
Purpose:
To gain a better understanding of the outcomes of the Mitrofanoff procedure for urinary diversion in children with spinal cord injury (SCI).
Design:
Descriptive retrospective.
Participants/Methods:
Individuals 6 to 27 years of age with SCI with at least 1 year follow-up after the Mitrofanoff procedure. Objective data collected via retrospective chart review include general demographics and medical/surgical history. Data collected via structured telephone interview include history of adverse urological events, bladder management, bladder management independence scores, patient satisfaction, and quality of life.
Results:
Sixteen subjects (13 female, 3 male) with a mean age of 19 years (range 6-27 y) who underwent the Mitrofanoff procedure were interviewed. Length of postoperative follow-up ranged from 1 to 8 years (mean 4.25 y). Complications included stomal stenosis 25% (n=4) with a mean of 19 months to first occurrence of stenosis; urethral incontinence 75% (n=12); renal/bladder calculi 19% (n = 3); and stomal leakage 44% (n=7). Independence scores for bladder management after the Mitrofanoff procedure improved in 84% of subjects with tetraplegia and 25% of subjects with paraplegia. Eighty-eight percent (n 14) were satisfied with the procedure, while 12% (n=2) were somewhat satisfied. A thematic analysis of quality of life revealed that freedom (35%) and independence (35%) were most commonly cited.
Conclusion:
While some subjects experienced complications, satisfaction was relatively high and level of independence in bladder management was greatly improved. This study demonstrates that the Mitrofanoff procedure is a beneficial option to improve independence and ease of bladder management in children with SCI.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Urinary Tract Calculi VI: Surgical Management
01:28Urinary Tract Calculi V: Nursing Management