Urinary diversion in children and adolescents with neurogenic bladder: the Mainz experience. Part I: Bladder augmentation and bladder substitution--therapeutic algorisms.

After the failure of conservative treatment of neurogenic bladders (deterioration of the upper urinary tract/incontinence), bladder augmentation/bladder substitution and supravesical urinary diversion have to be considered. In our concept, bladder augmentation is indicated for hyperreflexive and small low compliance bladders with normal upper urinary tracts. In cases with combined sphincteric incompetence, a fascial sling (FS) can be required to achieve continence. In patients with small and hyperreflexive bladders, high-grade reflux and/or dilatation of the upper tracts, bladder substitution and ureteral reimplantation are appropriate. For patients with irreparable sphincter defects and those who are unable to perform transurethral self-catheterization, continent cutaneous diversion is offered. For patients with chronic renal failure, deterioration of the upper urinary tract and those who are not able to perform a self-catheterization of a continent stoma, colonic conduit diversion is our therapy of choice. The current study aims to investigate the long-term safety of our concept for these patients in regard to protecting the upper tracts and providing continence. Between 1968 and 2002, 170 children and adolescents underwent surgery. Of these, 24 received an orthotopic reservoir (bladder augmentation, n =10; combined with FS, n =1; orthotopic bladder substitution with ureteral reimplantation, n =14). The material, methods and results of the remaining 146 patients are reported in parts II and III. One of the 24 patients with an orthotopic reservoir was lost to follow-up. An average follow-up of 9 years (1.3-18 years; median 8.7 years) was available in 23 patients with 42 RUs. As compared to preoperatively, the upper urinary tracts remained stable or improved in all ten patients with bladder augmentation and in 20/23 renal units (RUs) with bladder substitution at the latest follow-up. Eight of ten patients with bladder augmentation are continent. All 13 patients with bladder substitution are continent during the day; one requires a safety pad at night. Bladder augmentation has been effective in patients with hyperreflexive and small low compliance bladders and normal upper urinary tracts. In those with high-grade reflux and/or dilatation of the upper tracts, bladder substitution and ureteral reimplantation are recommended. In very selected patients a fascial sling (FS) can be required to achieve continence.