Purpose: At our institution the Kock ileal neobladder has been the primary form of urinary diversion after cystectomy. The few associated complications are primarily related to the intussuscepted antireflux afferent limb, including stones, stenosis and extussusception of the afferent nipple. We present a novel orthotopic ileal neobladder, the T pouch, with an innovative antireflux technique designed to prevent complications of the intussuscepted afferent nipple.
Material and methods: From November 1996 through August 1997, 40 patients an average of 67 years old underwent construction of an orthotopic ileal neobladder (T pouch). Mean followup is 10.5 months (range 8 to 14). The T pouch incorporates an antireflux mechanism using a serosal lined ileal tunnel technique. Urinary reflux is prevented without ileal intussusception and with complete preservation of the blood supply to the afferent ileal segment. Followup in all cases includes clinical and functional results, and radiographic evaluation of the urinary reservoir and upper urinary tracts.
Results: One perioperative death (2.5%) and 5 early complications (12.5%) were unrelated to urinary diversion. There have been no late complications. All T pouch reservoirs had excellent capacity without evidence of urinary reflux. The upper urinary tracts remain unchanged or improved in all patients.
Conclusions: The T pouch is an orthotopic ileal neobladder that incorporates an effective, innovative antireflux mechanism created by a serosal lined ileal tunnel. Early clinical and functional results of this type of urinary diversion have been excellent. Furthermore, we suspect that this antireflux technique may eliminate the complications associated with an intussuscepted afferent nipple and maintain an effective antireflux mechanism.