Morbidity and Quality of Life in Patients with Orthotopic and Heterotopic Continent Urinary Diversion

Objectives. To evaluate morbidity and quality of life (QOL) in patients with continent urinary diversion. Methods. Morbidity and neobladder function were analyzed in 56 consecutive patients with bladder substitutions. QOL assessment was performed using the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP), supplemented with a detailed voiding and continence questionnaire. Results. Mean age was 44.7 years. Mean follow-up was 41 months. Thirty-one men and 25 women were treated for transitional cell carcinoma (n = 22) or benign conditions (n = 34). In 33 patients, orthotopic (20 Mainz pouch and 13 ileal neobladder) substitutions were performed and in 23, heterotopic substitutions (Indiana pouch) were performed. Early complications required five open reinterventions. Late complications (at more than 3 months) included ureteric stenosis in 5 patients. In 38 patients (68%), full urinary continence was achieved. Spontaneous micturition was possible in 61% of orthotopic substitutions, whereas 15% of patients were required to perform intermittent catheterization only and 24% exhibited a combined voiding pattern. Compared to age-matched reference values, SIP scores showed a negative impact of heterotopic or orthotopic diversion in the SIP categories of emotion, recreation, and social interaction. The latter category included a statement about sexual activity, which was decreased in 50% of patients. In the category of emotion, orthotopic substitutions compared favorably to heterotopic substitutions ( P = 0.02). Conclusions. The morbidity profile is comparable to previous reports. QOL assessment using the SIP revealed a minor advantage for an orthotopic placement, which was due to a relatively small number of patients. Most importantly, QOL was found to be favorable for both types of bladder substitute placement.