Advances in bladder augmentation

Over the past 20 years, rapid advances have been made in bladder augmentation due to the introduction of clean intermittent catheterization, the use of intestinal segments interposed into the urinary tract, and the development of tissue expansion. The particular augmentation method selected from the multiple methods currently available is an individualized process that takes into account both patient factors and potential complications. Exciting new techniques, such as tissue engineering, may change the face of lower urinary tract reconstruction. © 2002, Current Science Inc.