Neobladder and Ileal Conduit in NYC for Men and Women with Bladder Cancer

[col type=”one-fourth”]hospital_shutterstock_98508335

[/col]

[col type=”three-fourth last”]In patients with bladder cancer who require radical cystectomy, neobladder and ileal conduit are two of the options for reconstructing the urinary tract after radical cystectomy.

[/col]

Ileal conduit

Ileal conduit is created using the patient’s small bowel or ileum.  The ureters are connected to the conduit made out of ileum and the other end is sutured to the skin with a small stoma. Stoma is an opening through which the urine is delivered to the urine collection bag that is attached to the skin. Once attached bag is filled with urine, the urine is emptied from the bag by the patient. Patients with ileal conduit have a permanent bag attached to the lower abdomen into which the urine is drained.

Neobladder

Neobladder is an alternative way to reconstruct the urinary tract in patients who undergo radical cystectomy for bladder cancer.  Neobladder is created using the ileum; sometimes other parts of the bowel  are used to create a spherical bladder replacement reservoir. The right and left ureters are connected to the neobladder. The neobladder is then connected to the urethra. The urine is stored in neobladder and the patient empties the neobladder by urinating through urethra. This is a more physiological reconstruction than the ileal conduit.

Neobladder reconstruction is more complex then ileal conduit and its associated with somewhat higher rate of complications. Some patients with neobladder may experience urinary incontinence or inability to empty the bladder.

Ileal conduit is preferred in elderly patients and in patients with renal insufficiency.

 

Leave a Reply