Kock versus right colon continent urinary diversion: Comparison of outcome and reoperation rate

Objectives. To compare one surgeon's sequential experience with two types of continent cutaneous diversion; namely, the Kock pouch (KP) and the right colon pouch (RCP). Methods. Outcomes for the final 30 KP patients seen during the period 1989 to 1992 and the initial 30 RCP patients seen between 1992 and 1995 were analyzed retrospectively. Patients differed in median age (KP 52.5, RCP 65.5 years), in number in whom malignancy was the reason for diversion (KP 18, RCP 25), and median follow-up period (KP 50, RCP 16 months). Results. No intraoperative complications or perioperative deaths occurred. Immediate postoperative complications were mild and self-limited in both groups, with the exception of 1 RCP patient who developed life-threatening hemorrhage from a ruptured splenic artery aneurysm. KP patients had a statistically higher (P<0.05) surgical revision requirement (16 patients, 26 revisions) than RCP patients (4 patients, 4 revisions). The majority of KP revisions were for efferent limb problems. Of the 14 KP patients not requiring revision, 4 have mild incontinence not warranting surgery. Three renal units showed new mild hydronephrosis (2 KP, RCP) and are being observed. Prolonged diarrhea was present in 1 patient in each group, and vitamin B-12 supplementation was required in 1 KP and 2 RCP patients. Conclusions. The markedly higher rate of surgical revision with the Kock pouch has led to our change in practice in favor of the right colon pouch for continent cutaneous urinary diversion. Copyright 1996 by Elsevier Science Inc.