A simple technique for urinary diversion: the dismembered detubularized rectosigmoid bladder with distal...

A new modification for urinary diversion following cystectomy is presented.

A total of 20 patients with bladder cancer who were treated with radical cystectomy underwent urinary diversion using a new technique. The sigmoid colon is dismembered approximately 30 cm. proximal to the peritoneal reflection and detubularized by anterior incision in its proximal two-thirds. Ureters are reimplanted by nipple or submucosal tunnel technique. The rectosigmoid sheet is folded on itself and closed to form a rectosigmoid pouch. The terminal colon is reanastomosed end to side to the anterior surface of the rectum just proximal to the peritoneal reflection.

During 4 to 36 months of followup all patients had complete daytime continence and only 2 had minimal nighttime fecal incontinence. The average daytime and nighttime evacuation frequency was 6 and 2 times, respectively. All patients were able to withhold voiding for an average of 30 minutes after maximum desire to void. Eight patients voided clear urine separated from stools in most instances while 12 voided mixtures of urine and stools. Postoperative excretory urogram revealed improvement of previously dilated systems in 8 renal units, deterioration in 4 and stable renal morphology in 28. An ascending pouchogram demonstrated good filling capacity in all cases. Urodynamic studies revealed low basic pressure within the pouch (mean 9.7 +/- 1.8 cm. water) with high compliance (mean 32.3 +/- 10).

This type of diversion provides a low pressure urine reservoir with satisfactory early results of preservation of the upper urinary tract and evacuation pattern.