Short ileal segment for orthotopic neobladder: a feasibility study.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to present the construction of a neobladder with a modified pouch technique using 25-35 cm of terminal ileum.

Methods: Thirty-eight patients whose pouch was constructed from 25-35 cm of terminal ileum (short pouch [SP] group) were prospectively evaluated vs 41 patients whose pouch was constructed from 50-70 cm of terminal ileum (long pouch group). Pouch volume, post-void residual (PVR) volume, need for catheterization, continence and voiding frequency were evaluated at 3 and 12 months after surgery.

Results: SP group patients had significantly smaller pouch capacity (440 vs 840 mL, P < 0.001) at month 12, and smaller PVR at postoperative months 3 (11 [0-43]vs 40 [0-147] mL, P < 0.001) and 12 (10 [0-90]vs 72 [0-570] mL, P < 0.001). SP group patients had significantly higher voiding frequency on postoperative month 3 (10 vs 9, P < 0.001) and 12 (7 vs 6, P < 0.005). Continence was significantly improved in the SP group compared with the long pouch group after 12 months (63.2% vs 34.1%, respectively, P = 0.034). Full continence improved significantly over time (P < 0.001) in the SP group, from 26.3% at month 3 to 63.2% at month 12.

Conclusion: A pouch constructed from 25-35 cm of terminal ileum provides adequate capacity, smaller PVR, satisfactory continence and a better 24-h voiding frequency pattern during the first postoperative year.