Continent urinary reservoir formation with transverse colon for patients with pelvic irradiation

Kidney Stone in a Patient with an Ileal Conduit

The advantage of a retrograde over an antegrade approach in ileal conduit diversion is the lower morbidity. Furthermore, in cases in which there are bone deformities and no ureteral reflux from the reservoir into the upper tract, percutaneous access can be challenging. Thus, a retrograde approach should be considered as the first-line option for the treatment of renal stones in patients with an ileal conduit, but the urologist should keep in mind that an antegrade or combined approach may be possible in the case of failure.

Colon pouch (Mainz III) for continent urinary diversion

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the use of a continent cutaneous pouch made exclusively of colon (Mainz pouch III), as excellent results with the Mainz pouch III in irradiated patients suggested that the indication for this type of urinary diversion could be extended.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The outcome of 24 patients with continent cutaneous urinary diversions using colon segments (Mainz pouch III) was investigated retrospectively. Overall, 22 of the patients had a malignant disease and two a benign disease; 16 had a hysterectomy and pelvic exenteration for gynaecological tumours; two men with a rhabdomyosarcoma of the prostate had a radical cystoprostatectomy; one woman had pelvic exenteration for bladder cancer; one man had a simultaneous rectum resection due to infiltrating rectal cancer, and another a left nephrectomy with cystectomy for concomitant kidney and bladder tumour. Benign indications were hyper-reflexive bladder after polytrauma and two cases of neurogenic bladder dysfunction. Eighteen patients had radiotherapy (32-48 Gy) before the urinary diversion.

RESULTS

The mean (range) follow-up was 35 (12-65) months. The mean pouch capacity was 293.8 mL. Three patients died during the follow-up (two from disease progression and one suicide); 20 patients were fully continent, four with reduced pouch capacity (<300 mL) had slight incontinence and are wearing a protective pad (band-aid at the umbilicus). All patients use intermittent self-catheterization (mean catheterization frequency 6.8/day, range 6-12). Complications related to the pouch were one outlet stenosis that required revision. Postoperative pouchograms showed asymptomatic reflux in four patients. None of the patients developed metabolic acidosis or diarrhoea.

CONCLUSIONS

The Mainz pouch III is an alternative to other types of continent urinary diversion.

Urinary diversion: options, patient selection, and outcomes

Improved survival following radical cystectomy for bladder cancer as a result of advancements in combination chemotherapy and surgical technique has resulted in a philosophical change in the surgeon's approach to urinary diversion selection. Aims have evolved from the mere diversion of urine to a functional bowel conduit such as an ileal conduit or ureterosigmoidostomy, to providing the optimal diversion for the patient's quality of life. While quality of life is important, one must also consider the stage of cancer and individual patient comorbidities. Which diversion provides the best local cancer control, the lowest potential for complications (short and long term), and the easiest emotional adjustment in lifestyle while still allowing the timely completion of chemotherapy and therapeutic goals? A multidisciplinary approach to diversion selection that includes the patient, the medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, internist, and surgeon is ideal. We describe the three most commonly used types of diversions today, including conduits, continent cutaneous reservoirs, and orthotopic urethral diversions, as well as issues relative to patient selection and functional outcomes in patients undergoing radical cystectomy for the treatment of bladder cancer.

Pelvic exenteration for gynaecological tumours: achievements and unanswered questions

Pelvic exenteration has been used for 60 years to treat cancers of the lower and middle female genital tract in radiated pelves. The mainstay for treatment success in terms of locoregional control and long-term survival is resection of the pelvic tumour with clear margins (R0). New ablative techniques based on developmentally derived surgical anatomy and laterally extended endopelvic resection have raised the number of R0 resections done, even for tumours that extend to the pelvic side wall, which were traditionally judged a contraindication for exenteration. Although mortality has fallen to less than 5%, treatment-related severe morbidity of pelvic exenteration still exceeds 50%, possibly because of compromised healing of irradiated tissue and use of complex reconstructive techniques. The benefits of exenteration for patients who have advanced primary disease or recurrent tumours after surgery, versus those who have chemoradiotherapy, are not proven by results of controlled trials, but can be assumed from retrospective data. Comparative findings are missing, and arguments are unconvincing to favour pelvic exenteration over less extensive treatments and best supportive care for palliation of cancer symptoms in most patients.

Continent Urinary Diversion in Patients with Pelvic Irradiation: An Alternative Utilizing Transverse Colon Reservoir

The use of radiation therapy in pelvic malignancies increases the risk of urinary complications, sometimes being necessary urinary diversion. The risk of utilizing previously irradiated bowel should be avoided. The use of transverse colon is a safe and effective alternative. We present a heterotopic continent colonic reservoir with an easily catheterizable conduit.