Urinary diversion following cystectomy

Urinary diversion is an essential component of the surgical procedure after cystectomy. Replacement with an orthotopic ileal neobladder should be the first choice if external urethral sphincter sparing surgery is possible, offering good long-term function, quality of life and patient's acceptance with few complications. The possible use of a variety of alternative intestinal segments widen the horizon of the reconstructive surgeon, allowing him or her to be prepared for unusual cases. Contraindications for orthotopic neobladder reconstruction include tumour location, reduced renal, liver, intestinal function, intellectual ability and physical handicaps. It is therefore important to custom tailor the appropriate mode of diversion for individual patients with a variety of options available, including ureterocutaneous stomas, intestinal conduits and continent catheterizable reservoirs and orthotopic neobladders. All these techniques require detailed knowledge of the possible metabolic problems encountered by using gastrointestinal segments and how they react in contact with urine. Modern surgical techniques such as nerve sparing surgery have the ability to preserve postoperative continence with voluntarily micturition as well as sexual function. In addition, preliminary experimental data hold great promise that the "off shelf" bladder substitute may become a technique of choice in the future, avoiding common problems encountered using current technqiues.