Cystectomy and orthotopic ileal neobladder construction - Evaluation of continence and complications in a regional hospital

Introduction: This study evaluates the outcome of orthotopic neobladder construction in a regional hospital setting. Material and Methods: Orthotopic ileal neobladders were constructed in 51 patients between 1990 and 2001. All complications were reported systematically and continence was evaluated in a standardized manner. Results: One patient died perioperatively (2%). Early complications occurred in 56.9%. They were related to the neobladder in 21.6% and unrelated to the neobladder in 47.1%. 31.4% experienced complications in the late postoperative period. In 25.5%, these complications were neobladder related and in 11.8% they were not. After 1 year, daytime continence was 91.7% and nighttime continence 80.6%. Our results are comparable to those reported by others. Conclusion: We conclude that the construction of a Hautmann neobladder can be performed with acceptable results in a regional hospital. The democratization of recent bladder replacement techniques may offer more patients a better quality of life and prevent the formation of waiting lists. Radical treatment may then be opted for sooner and thus improve cancer-related survival. Copyright (C) 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel.