The double-barrel wet colostomy: An alternative for urinary diversion after pelvic exenteration

Pelvic exenteration is a radical procedure used to treat locally advanced and/or recurrent pelvic malignancies. Different reconstruction options exist, the most popular being the end colostomy with ileal conduit. The double barrel wet colostomy (DBWC) offers concomitant fecal and urinary diversion through a single stoma, but is infrequently utilized. We aim to review the evidence base of the postoperative complications, long-term oncologic risks and quality of life following creation of a double barrel wet colostomy.

A narrative review of the literature was performed evaluating the DBWC. Patient demographics, perioperative complications, operative variables, long terms oncologic outcomes and quality of life data were extracted. Descriptive statistics were used to define the data.

Fourteen articles with a total of 300 patients undergoing DBWC following pelvic exenteration were selected. 41% of malignancies were gastrointestinal in origin while 41.7% were gynecologic and 5.3% genitourinary. 42% of patients experienced at least one complication within in 40 days of surgery, the most common being wound infection (8.7%) and urinary leak (8.3%). There was no evidence of malignancy within the DBWC during long-term surveillance. Quality of life following DBWC is comparable to other reconstructive methods.

The DBWC is a well described reconstructive method for urinary and fecal diversion utilizing a single stoma following pelvic exenteration. The short- and long-term outcomes following DBWC are comparable to other reconstructive methods and the quality of life with a DBWC is acceptable. DBWC should remain a readily available option for reconstruction following pelvic exenteration.