[100 orthotopic neobladders in men after cystectomy: a 5-year experience]

Urethral bladder substitution is traditionally suggested to good prognosis cystectomized patients. In our series this diversion was chosen for all but the salvage cystectomized men. Between the 1st of February 1991 and the 30th of April 1996, one hundred consecutive men underwent lower urinary tract reconstruction after radical cystoprostatectomy for bladder cancer. An orthotopic ileal neobladder was constructed (in 84 cases according to Kock's technique and in 16 to Studer's technique). Total early complication rate was 29% (29/100), including one perioperative death due to sepsis (mortality rate 1%). 13 patients required surgery (6 retroperitoneal hematomas, 2 wound dehiscences, 1 urinary fistula, 1 lymphocele, 1 rectal-neobladder fistula, 1 rectal-cutaneous fistula, 1 necrosis of the terminal ureter). The late complication rate was 19% (19/100); in 8 cases reparative surgery was required (1 mechanical ileus, 2 bladder neck stenoses, 3 stenoses of the ureteral anastomosis, 2 laparoceles). Four patients were lost at the follow-up; out of the 96 remaining patients only 85 were evaluable for continence: continence during the day was achieved in a period between there to six months in 78 patients (91.7%); night continence was achieved with planned awakenings in 60 patients (70.5%). Eight patients recovered potency, another 7 had successful intercourses after PGE1 intracavernous injection. Renal function based on creatinine value was mildly impaired in 5/78 evaluable patients (6.4%) (peak creatinine 2.8 mg%). In 29 patients tumour progression was observed (29%): 9 pelvic and 20 metastatic. Among the latter 2 urethral recurrences were observed (2%). Twenty-four patients died for metastatic cancer, one for primitive lung cancer, one patient for postoperative septic shock. Adjuvant chemotherapy was administered in 11 patients without complication with an indwelling catheter in the neobladder to avoid drug reabsorption. Four patients showed complete response (2 are alive after a mean of 12 months), 6 were non responders and 1 had a partial response. In our series the ileal neobladder is a feasible method of urinary diversion when urethral cancer involvement is ruled out. Early and late complications are proportionally decreasing with experience and overall continence is satisfactory. The fate of the neobladder depends on both the technique and patient's compliance. Only educated patients can cope successfully with neobladder diversion without major complications. All the patients operated for non salvage cystectomy deserve to be diverted with a continent urethral bladder substitution.