Urinary tract diversion and undiversion in the pediatric age group

Long-Term Followup of Patients After Redo Bladder Neck Reconstruction for Bladder Exstrophy Complex

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to determine whether redo bladder neck reconstruction is effective in achieving continence after a failed bladder neck reconstruction procedure.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the hospital records of patients with bladder exstrophy who had undergone redo bladder neck reconstruction. There were 30 patients in the study, including 20 boys and 10 girls. Mean patient age at redo bladder neck reconstruction was 9.3 years (range 3.2 to 15.5). The patients were divided into 3 groups on the basis of the preoperative pattern of incontinence--incomplete wetters, complete wetters and those on continuous suprapubic drainage. Of the patients 15 already had undergone bladder augmentation, 12 had undergone a Mitrofanoff procedure and 12 had been treated with bulking agents injected in the bladder neck in an attempt to achieve continence. Four patients had undergone more than 1 bladder neck procedure. The patients were investigated with a combination of noninvasive urodynamics, cystoscopy, cystogram and ultrasound. All patients underwent Mitchell's modification of Young-Dees-Leadbetter bladder neck reconstruction. Additional procedures performed included augmentation cystoplasty and Mitrofanoff formation.

RESULTS

Mean followup was 6.9 years (range 1.2 to 15.5). Postoperatively 28 patients were using clean intermittent catheterization to empty the bladder (5 per urethra, 23 via Mitrofanoff). Two patients remained on continuous suprapubic catheter drainage. A total of 18 patients (60%) were dry postoperatively (80% of girls and 50% of boys). Among dry patients only 3 were performing clean intermittent catheterization per urethra and 15 via a Mitrofanoff channel. No patient was able to void per urethra without the need for clean intermittent catheterization. The 2 patients on continuous suprapubic catheter drainage continued to remain so. At night only 50% of the patients were dry (5 on free drainage, 4 on clean intermittent catheterization, 6 not on any drainage). Those patients who did not respond satisfactorily to redo bladder neck reconstruction underwent subsequent additional procedures, which included injection of bulking agents (3 patients), insertion of an artificial urinary sphincter (1), Mitrofanoff formation (2) and bladder augmentation plus Mitrofanoff channel (1). Postoperative complications included difficulty with clean intermittent catheterization (8 patients), perivesical leak (1), recurrent epididymo-orchitis (1), upper urinary tract dilatation (2) and incisional hernia (1). Bladder neck closure was being considered in 5 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

In our experience redo bladder neck reconstruction cannot achieve continence with volitional voiding per urethra. Although redo bladder neck reconstruction can render a significant number of patients dry, it is only effective if performed in conjunction with augmentation. Failure of the initial bladder neck reconstruction may be a reflection of a bladder that is of inadequate capacity and/or compliance. Therefore, bladder augmentation should be considered in all patients requiring redo bladder neck reconstruction. Bladder neck closure may be a better alternative to redo bladder neck reconstruction.

Urinary tract infection: the urological perspective

Urinary tract infection in babies often presents with non specific symptoms and signs. It must be considered in the differential diagnosis of a febrile sick baby or any baby with failure to thrive. In a significant proportion of babies with recurrent urinary tract infection, urological abnormality is demonstrable. The diagnosis of urinary tract infection is confirmed by the presence of pus cells and growth of microorganism in a fresh urine specimen. The voidoing history and detailed ultrasound examination in the baby including a post void evaluation of the upper and lower urinary tract can lead to the possible diagnosis in the majority. Antibiotic therapy for urinary tract infection should be followed by consideration about the need for urinary drainage at the appropriate level, particularly in cases where resolution is delayed despite antibiotics. There is a role for prophylactic antibiotics after the resolution of acute infection, at least until detailed evaluation several weeks after the acute episode, has excluded any abnormality. Micturating cytourethrogram is usually done under antibiotic cover and better done in centres with facility for fluoroscopic examination. Isotope studies have to be evaluated in the light of inherent limitations. Transient urodynamic abnormality of the urinary bladder in infancy is being increasingly recognized and should be the subject of evaluation in specific circumstances. A multidisciplinary team improves the quality of investigations, subsequent interpretation and long term care of these children. A large majority of urological abnormality in infancy and early childhood can be effectively managed by endocopic procedures. Temporary urinary diversion may be required in a small proportion. Urological reconstruction should be approached with caution, after a detailed analysis of the evolving urological tract in a baby. An aggressive approach to early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of urinary tract infection and any underlying abnormality, has been shown to significantly reduce the incidence of chronic renal failure in long term longitudinal studies in children.

Historical perspective of the use of bowel in urology

The use of bowel has been used in urinary tract reconstruction for more than a century. In the past 20 years, however, indications and methods for bowel utilization have multiplied enormously. This article outlines some of these exciting developments.

Urinary tract re-functionalization after long-term diversion. A 20-year experience with 177 patients

From 1969 to 1990, previously diverted urinary tracts were 'undiverted' in 177 patients whose ages ranged from 1 to 31 years. Fifty-six of the patients (32%) had been diverted for 10 years or longer. There were 67 female and 110 male patients. Forty-four patients had only one kidney and in two of those patients it was a previous renal transplant. One patient was anephric at the time of reconstruction, having had two unsuccessful transplants. Most of the diversions had been considered permanent. Types of diversions that were reversed include ileal loop, colon conduit, loop ureterostomy or pyelostomy, end ureterostomy, cystostomy or vesicostomy, long-term nephrostomy, and ureterosigmoidostomy.

Utilization of ileal conduit in construction of continent urinary reservoir

Two patients with ileal conduits underwent planned urinary undiversion; in both patients, the previously constructed ileal conduit was utilized to augment the continent urinary reservoir. Both patients are totally continent with stable upper urinary tracts; neither individual suffers from diarrhea or intestinal absorption abnormalities. This variation in the construction of the continent urinary reservoir allows for the usage of less terminal ileum, and as a result, the risk of intractable diarrhea as well as folate and vitamin B12 malabsorption should be diminished. The criteria that must be met to utilize the ileal conduit in the construction of the continent urinary reservoir include: (1) adequate remaining conduit length after mobilization, and (2) a normal-appearing conduit with sufficient mesenteric length after mobilization.

Augmentation cystoplasty in the failed exstrophy reconstruction

Of the 148 patients with bladder exstrophy seen at this institution during the last 10 years 12 have ultimately required bladder augmentation. In 4 cases augmentation was performed for an inadequate bladder capacity, upper tract decompensation and dry interval of less than 1 hour after bladder neck reconstruction and epispadias repair. Likewise, 3 patients underwent augmentation for an inadequate bladder capacity and dry interval of less than 2 hours after bladder neck reconstruction and epispadias repair. Of these 7 patients 3 had undergone 2 previous bladder neck reconstructions, while 4 had undergone 1 prior repair. Five augmentations were performed for an inadequate bladder capacity before any type of continence procedure had been done. Nine patients underwent adjunctive procedures in addition to bladder augmentation, including a Young-Dees-Leadbetter procedure in 4, an artificial urinary sphincter in 3, transureteroureterostomy and psoas hitch in 1, and a Mitrofanoff procedure and bladder neck closure in 1. Of the 12 patients 11 are continent, although 9 require intermittent catheterization. There were no major complications. However, 1 artificial urinary sphincter was removed for erosion 2 years after placement. Augmentation cystoplasty has provided prolonged stability of the upper tracts and continence in these patients, and it has proved to be a successful alternative to urinary diversion in this select group of exstrophy failures.

Pediatric urinary diversion and undiversion

Many things have changed in our management of the urinary tract of children and young adults. Important contributions from many sources have resulted in the refinement of therapy and the progression from diversion to undiversion and reconstruction. Primary urinary diversion is now uncommon. Patients with exstrophy, for example, are treated with primary bladder closure as newborns, and newborns with valves often are treated with primary valve ablation. Children with neurogenic bladder dysfunction resulting from myelodysplasia are rarely diverted, but are started at an early age with ICC. It is hoped that in future the contents of this article on diversion techniques and undiversion will be of historical interest, however. Note: The editors also have found the use of the Mitrofanoff procedure, utilizing a nonrefluxing tunnel and a catheterizable stoma made out of the ureter or appendix, to be a very valuable addition to the reconstructive surgeon's armamentarium. We also feel that use of detubularized bowel for either bladder augmentation or replacement provides more efficient storage capability. Occasional reports of extremely significant diarrhea after removal of the ileocecal segment from the intestinal tract have been reported in children with myelodysplasia.

The manifestation and management of late urological complications in renal transplant recipients: use of the urological armamentarium

The incidence of urological complications in renal transplant patients is well documented. The majority of these complications occur in the early postoperative period; late occurrences (more than 3 months) are much less common. We have had experience with 7 patients who presented with late complications 3 months to 7 years after transplantation: ureteral obstruction occurred in 4 patients, ureteral disruption or laceration in 2 and neurogenic bladder with hydronephrosis in 1. Management of these patients has been varied and has included cystoscopic stent placement, Boari flap, ureteropyelostomy, ureteroneocystostomy, bladder augmentation and urinary undiversion. Grafts have been salvaged in 6 of 7 patients. Transplant patients who present with late urological complications can be challenging. However, the potential for intervention and graft salvage is excellent.