Transpubic cystectomy and ileocecal bladder replacement after preoperative radiotherapy for bladder cancer

Radical cystectomy was modified by leaving the apical prostatic capsule to facilitate anastomosis of the isolated ileocecal segment to the urethra and to preserve erectile potency. The transpubic approach was used to increase the exposure, and to facilitate dissection and anastomosis. A total of 15 patients with stages T1 to T4 bladder tumors underwent the operation: 13 after preoperative radiotherapy with 4,000 rad and 2 had salvage cystectomy after 6,000 rad. One patient died postoperatively. The remaining 14 patients underwent urodynamic evaluation 3 to 6 months postoperatively. The maximum urine flow rates were almost normal and none of the patients had significant residual urine. Daytime urinary continence was satisfactory in 13 patients and 1 was moderately incontinent. All of the patients were incontinent at night, probably owing to peristaltic contractions in the intestinal bladder and relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles. Preoperatively, 8 patients experienced erections and 7 had intercourse. Postoperatively, erectile potency was preserved in 4 patients and 3 had sexual function. No orthopedic disability occurred postoperatively. The median followup was 20 months, with a range of 3 to 30 months. There have been no local recurrences. A year postoperatively 6 of 9 patients had sterile urine. This technique makes it possible to avoid a urinary stoma, to obtain satisfactory voiding and urinary continence in almost all cases, and to preserve sexual function in some patients after cystectomy.