Urinary undiversion in myelomeningocele patients with an ileal conduit diversion

Neurogenic bladder in myelomeningocele has been managed until recently by routine ileal conduit urinary diversion. Long-term complications are not uncommon after an ileal conduit and 23 of our patients required major surgical revision during the last 2 years. In 5 patients with an ileal conduit urinary undiversion was performed after excision of the conduit and direct ureteral anastomoses. Over-all progress of these patients has been satisfactory. We conclude that when major surgery is required to correct ileal conduit complications in myelomeningocele, urinary undiversion should be considered in selected cases.