A TECHNIQUE OF BLADDER NECK CLOSURE COMBINING PROSTATECTOMY AND INTESTINAL INTERPOSITION FOR UNSALVAGEABLE URETHRAL DISEASE

Abstract

PURPOSE: We describe a technique of bladder neck detachment and augmented closure incorporating total prostatectomy and urinary diversion in men with complex bladder and urethral pathology due to fistula, radiation and neurogenic dysfunction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 5 men 38 to 61 years old who presented with unsalvageable urethral pathology, including prostate cancer in 2. All 5 patients underwent radical prostatectomy and augmented bladder neck closure with creation of a continent catheterizable stoma in 4 and chimney diversion in 1. RESULTS: Bladder neck closure was performed with interposition of an ileocecal patch in 4 cases and sigmoid colon in 1. At a mean followup of 6 months no fistula, recanalization or urinoma developed. Delayed complications included stomal stenosis, stomal incontinence requiring collagen injection and rupture of the augmented bladder in 1 case each. The 2 men with prostate cancer had undetectable prostate specific antigen. CONCLUSIONS: Prostatectomy facilitated mobilization of the bladder neck away from the urethral pathology and interposition of an intestinal segment at the bladder neck allowed healing. In addition to cases of complicated urethrovesical pathology, this technique may have applications in salvage prostatectomy after pelvic irradiation for carcinoma.