[Insufficiency of the efferent segment in continent cutaneous diversion]

Abstract

Besides common requirements like universal applicability, reproducibility, and low complication rate, functionality and cosmetic aspects are essential in continent cutaneous diversions. Creation of the continence mechanism certainly represents the major surgical challenge in continent cutaneous diversions. Complete continence and ease of catheterization are mandatory for the patient's quality of life.High surgical competence, creativity, and variability are required in cases of revisional surgery for stomal insufficiency. In addition to accurate preoperative clinical, endoscopic, and radiologic evaluation, extensive expertise in the fields of continent urinary diversion and reconstructive urology allows performance of a surgical solution ideally adapted to the patient's individual situation. Between January 1990 and September 2011 we performed urinary diversion in 1,224 patients (mean follow-up 90.3 months). Continent urinary diversion was performed in 717 patients (59%); in 486 patients an ileocecal reservoir with continent cutaneous diversion, in 186 patients an ileocecal neobladder, and in 45 patients a sigma rectum pouch was created. Incontinence rate and stenosis rate in patients with appendico-umbilical stoma (n=219) were 2.3% and 10% and in patients with intussuscepted ileum nipple (n=267) nipple 5.2% and 2.7%. Stenosis usually can be corrected easily by simple excision of the obstructive scarred tissue or by stomal reconfiguration. Outlet failure may result from simple causes like fistula formation between reservoir and efferent segment or skin and nipple gliding or prolapse which can easily be repaired. More complex situations might require creation of a secondary continence mechanism. In our series of 486 patients having undergone continent cutaneous diversion in our department, 14 patients (appendico-umbilical stoma n=5, ileal nipple n=9) suffered from irreversible damage of the continent outlet. In 11 patients creation of a secondary intussuscepted ileal nipple and in 3 patients a modified Managadze procedure was performed.In case of absence of the ileocecal valve (e.g. in primary ileal reservoirs, ileocolonic reservoirs without integrated ileocecal valve) and in case of a preexisting pouch of small capacity we prefer augmentation of the primary reservoirs with an ileocecal cup patch plasty in combination with the submucosally embedded appendix or intussuscepted ileal nipple serving as continent outlet. In our institution this was done in four patients who had undergone primary surgery elsewhere.