A review of metabolic consequences and long-term complications of enterocystoplasty in children.

This review summarizes the important metabolic consequences and long-term complications associated with enterocystoplasty, with a particular emphasis on the pediatric patient with genitourinary abnormalities. A directed Medline literature review for metabolic and long-term complications following enterocystoplasty was performed. Information gained through published literature and from our database was reviewed and summarized to provide the reader with a thorough review of the subject. Bowel is not a perfect tissue for substitution or augmentation, and its use to treat functionally and structurally compromised bladders is associated with several metabolic consequences and long-term complications. Metabolic acidosis is the most common metabolic abnormality seen. The rates and severity of these complications vary, though they may have a profound impact on a patient's quality of life after enterocystoplasty. The metabolic consequences and long-term complications associated with enterocystoplasty are important clinical features of this intervention, and careful consideration should be given to them before pursuing enterocystoplasty.