OBJECTIVE: To analyse initial results of newly designed ileal neobladder-a modification of Studer neobladder METHODS: Twenty-four patients with urinary bladder cancer underwent radical cystoprostatectomy from February 2005 to March 2006. Twenty-one of them had urinary diversion using ileal neobladder in spherical configuration with ileal neourethra (giving the shape of an inverted Indian earthenware container called a 'pitcher pot') to circumvent the problem of short mesentery and construct a low-pressure spherical ileal neobladder. RESULTS: Early post-operative complications occurred in 42% of patients. Late complications occurred in 23% of patients. Most of these complications were minor, mainly as a result of wound infection, urine leak or urinary tract infections and were managed conservatively. No early post-operative mortality was observed. Daytime continence was achieved in 100% of patients who completed the 1 year follow-up. Night-time continence was variable as it depended on timed voiding--75% of patients achieved nocturnal continence by 1 year. The functional neobladder capacity was 426 ml. The mean post-operative residual volume was 36 ml. Three patients required cystoscopic mucus evacuation and catheterization. None of them required clean intermittent catheterization. No significant metabolic disturbance occurred in any patient. CONCLUSIONS: Length of mesentery remains one of the factors in deciding the segment of intestine to be taken for neobladder. Ileal neourethra gives about 2-3 cm extra length to perform tensionless anastomosis, which is a key factor in the smooth recovery after such major surgery and also maintains optimum urodynamic features of neobladder.
OBJECTIVE: To analyse initial results of newly designed ileal neobladder-a modification of Studer neobladder METHODS: Twenty-four patients with urinary bladder cancer underwent radical cystoprostatectomy from February 2005 to March 2006. Twenty-one of them had urinary diversion using ileal neobladder in spherical configuration with ileal neourethra (giving the shape of an inverted Indian earthenware container called a 'pitcher pot') to circumvent the problem of short mesentery and construct a low-pressure spherical ileal neobladder. RESULTS: Early post-operative complications occurred in 42% of patients. Late complications occurred in 23% of patients. Most of these complications were minor, mainly as a result of wound infection, urine leak or urinary tract infections and were managed conservatively. No early post-operative mortality was observed. Daytime continence was achieved in 100% of patients who completed the 1 year follow-up. Night-time continence was variable as it depended on timed voiding--75% of patients achieved nocturnal continence by 1 year. The functional neobladder capacity was 426 ml. The mean post-operative residual volume was 36 ml. Three patients required cystoscopic mucus evacuation and catheterization. None of them required clean intermittent catheterization. No significant metabolic disturbance occurred in any patient. CONCLUSIONS: Length of mesentery remains one of the factors in deciding the segment of intestine to be taken for neobladder. Ileal neourethra gives about 2-3 cm extra length to perform tensionless anastomosis, which is a key factor in the smooth recovery after such major surgery and also maintains optimum urodynamic features of neobladder.