Role of continent suprapubic diversion in pelvic cancer

Seventeen patients with either current (n = 14) or previous (n = 3) pelvic malignant disease underwent continent urinary diversion using the Mitrofanoff principle in 16 and a Kock pouch in 1. Eight patients had bladder carcinoma, 6 had gynaecological malignancy, 2 had rectal cancers and 1 had a squamous cell carcinoma of the perineum. Fourteen underwent synchronous exenterative surgery and continent suprapubic diversion; plastic reconstructive procedures were required in 4. There were 2 post-operative deaths and 5 patients have developed further tumour recurrence. Continence was satisfactory in all patients with a median interval of intermittent self-catheterisation of 4 h.