[The history of ureterosigmoidostomy]

Congenital anomalies like bladder exstrophy were the indication in 1821 to implant the ureters into the sigmoid colon for the first time. In 1894 the Maydl technique was used more frequently with a postoperative mortality rate of 31%. The most important impact for ureterosigmoidostomy came from Robert Coffey in 1911. Obstruction at the ureterocolic anastomosis, inflammatory complications together with severe acidosis, renal insufficiency, and high mortality rates however gave way in 1950 to the worldwide success of Bricker's ileal conduit although at the same time the technique of ureterosigmoidostomy was perfected by Leadbetter, Goodwin, and Hohenfellner. About 25 years later, when the high late complication rate of ileal conduits was obvious, the advantages of ureterosigmoidostomy were reconsidered and the technique was refined using valuable principles of pouch surgery. Today modified ureterosigmoidostomy has a strong place among the possibilities of urinary diversion.