The failed anti-incontinence mechanism: a flap valve or cecal wrap for surgical reconstruction

On a long-term basis patients with continent urinary diversions may have an acceptable number of complications, such as urinary incontinence. We report on a new surgical technique for treatment of the incompetent anti-incontinence segment.

Seven patients presented with a large capacity, low pressure reservoir and an incompetent anti-incontinence mechanism. The original anti-incontinence mechanism consisted of an intussuscepted reimplanted appendix (Mitrofanoff) in 2 patients, tapered ileum and reinforced ileocecal valve in 3, and tapered and reimplanted ileal segment in 2. Surgical reconstruction involved 2 stages: stage 1 - lengthening and tubularizing the cecum with the anti-incontinence segment and stage 2 - creation of the flap valve mechanism. Stage 2 required intraoperative modification when abundant peri-reservoir fibrosis, a thin-walled reservoir (cecal wrap) or an excessive thickened mesentery was encountered.

After a mean followup of 7 months 6 of 7 patients performed catheterization every 4 hours and were continent. Several patients required a concomitant procedure with the incontinence revision.

We describe a 2-stage technique for correction of a variety of untoward anatomical conditions related to a failed anti-incontinence segment with continent urinary reservoirs. Concomitant repair of other coexisting structural abnormalities related to the continent reservoir may also be necessary.