Continent caecal reservoir in urinary diversion.

Construction of a continent urinary reservoir was attempted in 18 patients with carcinoma of the bladder. The caecum was used as the reservoir and an intussuscepted ileal nipple was created to provide continence. Fifteen patients are alive and have been observed for 7 to 68 months. The most common complication was malfunction of the nipple valve with urinary leakage and/or difficulty in catheterisation. Revision of the outlet was performed one or more times in 11 cases. The technique of nipple valve construction was successively evolved, with improvement in the functional results. Stricture of one uretero-intestinal anastomosis occurred in three patients. Construction of a continent caecal reservoir is a complex procedure and the problem of a stable, continence-ensuring mechanism in the outlet has not been conclusively solved. The enhanced quality of life offered by a successful continent reservoir nevertheless warrants continued clinical trials in selected patients.