Diagnosis of perforated enterocystoplasty

Bladder perforation after augmentation cystoplasty: Determining the best management option

INTRODUCTION

Delayed bladder perforation is a well-described complication after augmentation cystoplasty. Although the frequency, risk factors, and diagnostic challenges are well documented, discussions regarding management strategies are sparse.

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated our experience of managing augmented bladder perforation to interrogate the hypothesis that non-operative management can be used effectively.

STUDY DESIGN

We retrospectively evaluated the management of 10 patients with augmented bladder perforations over a 16-year period (Jan 2000-Jan 2016). Patients who demonstrated clinical deterioration, severe peritonitis, or extensive extravasation on imaging underwent exploratory laparotomy and primary closure. Clinically stable patients with minimal extravasation were managed non-operatively with maximal bladder drainage, and those with loculated fluid collections in feasible locations for drainage underwent an image-guided percutaneous drain placement.

RESULTS

Underlying diagnoses included four patients with myelomeningocele, three with sacral agenesis, two with spinal cord injuries, and one with bladder exstrophy. Three of the four patients with myelomeningocele had concomitant ventriculoperitoneal shunts. Six patients had continent catheterizable channel creation and two patients had bladder neck reconstructions during the original operation. Four patients were managed with exploratory laparotomy and primary closure. Among the six patients managed non-operatively, three underwent image-guided drain placement in addition to maximal bladder drainage. Four patients developed re-perforation. Two of the four surgically managed patients developed re-perforation. Two of the three patients managed only with maximal bladder drainage developed re-operation. None of the patients managed non-operatively with drain placement suffered from re-perforation. Four perforation episodes were alcohol-related, two occurred after high-impact sporting activity, and two patients reported non-compliant catheterization.

DISCUSSION

Non-operative management with maximal bladder drainage and selective image-guided drain placement can be successfully deployed in clinically stable patients with limited extravasation. Ensuring low intraluminal detrusor pressures and empty bladder with maximal drainage is critical for spontaneous sealing of the perforation site. Exploratory laparotomy and primary closure remains our approach for those presenting with clinical deterioration or significant extravasation on imaging. The majority of our perforations and re-perforation episodes seemed to stem from preventable behavioral risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings support the hypothesis that non-operative management with maximal bladder drainage and image-guided drain placement can be effective in stable patients with limited extravasation.

Is CT cystography an accurate study in the evaluation of spontaneous perforation of augmented bladder in children and adolescents?

BACKGROUND

Spontaneous bladder perforation (SBP) is a potentially fatal complication of augmented bladder. Imaging is often used for diagnosis. In this study we present our experience with CT cystography (CTC) in the diagnosis of SBP.

OBJECTIVE

To determine CTC accuracy in the evaluation of SBP in children with an augmented bladder.

STUDY DESIGN

The institutional review board approved this HIPAA-compliant study; informed consent was waived. All patients under 20 years old, who underwent CTC for SBP evaluation from 2003 to 2013, were identified. Two radiologists independently reviewed CTC studies for contrast extravasation, ascites, and pneumoperitoneum. Ascites was graded: small - confined to the rectovesical pouch (RVP); moderate - beyond the RVP; large - beyond the pelvis.

RESULTS

Eighty-nine patients (47 males, age 4.2-19.8 years) had 132 CTCs. SBP was diagnosed in 14% (19/132). Both radiologists found contrast extravasation in 74% (14/19) of patients with SBP; two patients had only pneumoperitoneum, and three had only ascites (large = 2, moderate = 1) (Fig.). SBP was found in 1% of CTCs with no ascites or small ascites (1 of 98 and 92; radiologists 1 and 2, respectively). Findings of extraluminal extravasation, unexplained pneumoperitoneum, or large ascites, yielded a detection rate of 95% for SBP by each radiologist. In eight patients, small bowel obstruction was diagnosed.

DISCUSSION

Contrast extravasation was detected in only 74% of patients with SBP. The use of indirect signs of perforation (unexplained pneumoperitoneum and large ascites) in addition to contrast extravasation, increased the detection rate of SBP to 95%. US screening for SBP and selection of patients with moderate or large ascites for CTC, may eliminate the need for most CT scans. In the absence of SBP, other abdominal abnormalities should be evaluated. Bowel obstruction was the most common non-urological emergency detected in this series. The main limitations of the study are: the small number of SBP cases; the diagnosis of SBP not based on surgical findings in three patients; and inability to completely exclude occult SBP in patients not explored surgically.

CONCLUSION

Extraluminal contrast was seen on CTC in most cases of SBP, but some patients with sealed bladder perforation had only pneumoperitoneum or moderate/large ascites. Therefore, SBP should be suspected in any patient with moderate/large volumes of pelvic fluid or unexplained pneumoperitoneum, even when there is no evidence of contrast extravasation. Patients with no ascites, or small volumes, are unlikely to have SBP; therefore, US can be used to screen low risk patients.

Adolescent urology: A challenge for adult urologists

The medical care of adolescents has become a growth area in many disciplines. There are two major aspects. Firstly, adolescents have specific medical and emotional needs which are not fulfilled either by paediatric or by adult specialists. Secondly, some childhood problems, particularly the congenital deformities, have no equivalent in adult life and so lifelong care is mandatory. Renal damage, especially dysplasia and scarring, leads to a substantial risk of early onset hypertension and, occasionally, to renal failure. Bladder outlet obstruction in utero, such as from a posterior urethral valve, causes irreversible changes to the wall that will act adversely on the kidneys in adolescence or early adulthood. The incidence of renal failure in early adulthood is about 36%. Bladder reconstruction with bowel has been very beneficial in preventing renal failure and improving continence. Life long follow-up is needed because of the high incidence of complications. These include stones, hyperchloraemic acidosis, perforation, anastomotic stenosis and, possibly, cancer. Patients have a normal expectation of sexuality and fertility. Their desires cannot always be achieved but they require considerable emotional and surgical support.

[Spontaneous urinary bladder perforation after pediatric cystoplasty]

OBJECTIVE

The spontaneous cystoplasty perforation is a serious and potentially fatal problem if a delay in diagnosis and treatment occurs. We pretend: 1) to look for prevention analyzing the risk factors, 2) to identify the main data of diagnostic suspicion and 3) to evaluate the result of the treatments done.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Out of 30 children with cystoplasty 5 of them have presented 8 perforations (16,6%). Several influential factors, the symptoms, the treatments and the evolution are reviewed.

RESULTS

The average time between cystoplasty and the perforation was 8,2 years. A urethral resistance that allows continence, and an insufficient intermittent catheterization, have been the main risk factors. In the 8 episodes there were abdominal pain and distension. The ultrasonography showed intraperitoneal extravasation in 5 episodes, multiple peritoneal cysts in one, and suggestive image of appendicular plastron in another one. The cystography showed intraperitoneal extravasation only in 3 cases. The initial management was conservative in the 7 episodes diagnosed before surgery, and 3 had a good evolution (42,8%); the other 4 needed surgery with good evolution in all cases. Two of 5 patients (40%) presented 3 relapses in an average time of 5 years. The survival is 100%.

CONCLUSIONS

16,6% of patients with cystoplasty of this series had one or more episodes of spontaneous bladder perforation. The more significant risk factors are a high urethral resistance and an inadequate intermittent catheterization. The patients with cystoplasty, and their families, must know this complication, their risk factors and symptoms to prevent it, or to facilitate an early diagnosis.