Experience with augmentation cystoplasty. A review

Good experience with clam cystoplasty is reported for 28 patients (14 female), 89% of whom had a neuropathic bladder. Prolonged conservative treatment had failed in all cases. The efficacy of the operation in terms of continence, increased bladder compliance, and bladder capacity was confirmed. Complications were common and included inability to void (70%) requiring clean intermittent catheterisation (CIC), recurrent urinary tract infection (59%) and stone formation (22%). Due to these complications, further surgery was required for 44% of the patients. Although clam enterocystoplasty is an efficient way to reconstruct a functionally disturbed urinary tract, careful patient selection is essential. Lifetime follow-up and recognition of the most frequent complications is mandatory.