Ileal conduit urinary diversion--early and late complications

110 adult patients with benign and malignant conditions subjected to an ileal conduit urinary diversion were followed from 1 to 8 years after the operation. 62 patients (59 with a malignant disease) died in the follow-up period. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to their primary diseases: (1) benign, (2) malignant without irradiation, and (3) malignant with irradiation. Early complication rates were 22% in group 1, 33% in group 2, and 29% in group 3. In addition, the complications were more serious in the group with malignant diseases. Late complication rates were 70% in group 1, 80% in group 2, and 54% in group 3, possibly due to a shorter time of observation in group 3. Renal function deteriorated in 18% of the patients but only 3% became uremic. When urinary diversion is inevitable we find this method acceptable, at least until the long-term results of newer methods are known.