A Modified Neobladder Technique: The "I-Pouch" - Illustration of Surgical Approach and Tricks

Various techniques for orthotopic neobladder (ONB) are currently used and have shown satisfactory oncological and functional outcomes.³ Among the relevant oncological and functional aspects for long-term follow up is the easy accessibility of the upper urinary tract in urinary diversion for endoscopic monitoring. In addition, variety exists in the amount of ileum needed to create a urinary reservoir. Depending on the ONB technique, up to 60 cm of ileum are required, and bowel dysfunction may be a consequence especially when the ileocecal valve is used for the urinary diversion. We previously reported the technique, functional and oncologic results of the I-pouch, a modified ONB made of 40 cm of ileum, combining an antirefluxive ureter implantation technique with easy access to the uretero-intestinal anastomosis.^1,2 The present video is intended to illustrate key surgical steps and pitfalls during the procedure.

The technique, surgical tips, and functional results in a as compared to a institutional control group receiving conventional Studer -Pouch-procedure are outlined.

In a follow up series of 33 I-pouch and 23 S-pouch patients, there were no differences according to ONB type for 30-day major- (P = .33) and minor (P = 0.96) complication rates although 90-day major (P = 0.08) and minor (P = 0.08) complication rates tended to be associated with less complications in I-pouch patients.

The I-pouch can be used for neobladder substitution providing easy access to the upper urinary tract, reduced demand of ileum length along with a complication profile not distinct from Studer neobladder formation.