[Continent urinary diversion in the elderly patient. Results with an ileum neobladder]

From April 1986 to April 1989 an ileal neobladder was constructed in 101 male patients for complete bladder substitution following radical cystectomy. The patients were retrospectively stratified by age: 86 were over, 15 under the age of 70. No major differences were found in terms of early and late postoperative complications. However, the functional results differed markedly: whereas 89% of the younger patients achieved complete daytime and nighttime continence, only 50% of the older patients reached the same status. It is concluded that strict indications should be observed for complete continent bladder substitution in the elderly.