OBJECTIVE: To assess the long-term outcome of continent diversion in children with structural or neurogenic cause of incontinence, with special interest in differences between closed and open bladder neck procedures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cohort of 63 children with intractable incontinence treated with continent diversion between January 1998 and January 2008 were reviewed for underlying disease, type of surgery, complications and outcome. RESULTS: Forty patients had a continent diversion with open bladder neck (group 1) and 23 patients had their bladder neck closed (group 2: 11 primarily closed; 12 secondarily closed). There was no difference between the two groups in terms of patient characteristics, surgical re-interventions and stone formation. The continence rate however was significantly better in group 2 (95.6% vs 77.5%). CONCLUSION: Bladder neck closure with continent diversion as primary or salvage procedure in children with intractable incontinence does not result in extra morbidity and has a high success rate. Thorough urodynamic evaluation of bladder function is the key to success in therapy planning for these children, to minimize the need for re-intervention.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the long-term outcome of continent diversion in children with structural or neurogenic cause of incontinence, with special interest in differences between closed and open bladder neck procedures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cohort of 63 children with intractable incontinence treated with continent diversion between January 1998 and January 2008 were reviewed for underlying disease, type of surgery, complications and outcome. RESULTS: Forty patients had a continent diversion with open bladder neck (group 1) and 23 patients had their bladder neck closed (group 2: 11 primarily closed; 12 secondarily closed). There was no difference between the two groups in terms of patient characteristics, surgical re-interventions and stone formation. The continence rate however was significantly better in group 2 (95.6% vs 77.5%). CONCLUSION: Bladder neck closure with continent diversion as primary or salvage procedure in children with intractable incontinence does not result in extra morbidity and has a high success rate. Thorough urodynamic evaluation of bladder function is the key to success in therapy planning for these children, to minimize the need for re-intervention.