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Neovesical-urethral anastomotic stricture after orthotopic urinary diversion: presentation and management.

Patel SG, Cookson MS, Clark PE, Smith JA, Chang SS

Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Department of Urologic Surgery, Nashville, TN 37232-5770, USA.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the frequency, presentation, treatment, and outcomes of bladder neck contractures (BNCs) among patients who had an orthotopic urinary diversion after radical cystectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively examined our single-institution database of 788 patients who had a radical cystectomy from 1 January 1996 to 4 January 2006 for BNC; variables evaluated included presentation, degree of stricture/contracture, clinical management, and outcomes after management. RESULTS: Of the 374 patients who had an orthotopic urinary diversion, 11 (2.9%) men developed BNC; four BNCs were between 17 F and 22 F, six were <17 F, and one was pinhole-sized. Nine of the 11 patients presented with voiding difficulties, one in complete retention after complicated urinary tract infection, and one with new-onset nocturnal urinary incontinence. The treatment of BNC included cystoscopic dilatation in the clinic in six and under anaesthesia in three, and transurethral incision with a Collins knife or holmium laser in seven. After treatment, all patients were instructed to use continuous intermittent catheterization (CIC). Ten patients had follow-up data available after the intervention, with a mean (range) follow-up of 40.6 (10.6-98.0) months. Six patients were stricture-free for a mean period of 35.4 (10.6-98.0) months, while four patients had a recurrence within a mean of 7.4 (1.3-17.1) months. At the last follow-up, nine of the 10 patients were using CIC. No patient had significant daytime or night-time incontinence after treatment. CONCLUSION: BNC develops in a small proportion of patients undergoing orthotopic urinary diversion, with most patients presenting with voiding difficulty. Most will require transurethral incision rather than an office-based dilatation. After endoscopic incision to correct BNC, we recommend CIC to ensure complete emptying and to maintain the patency of the anastomotic stricture.

Published 4 January 2008 in BJU Int, 101(2): 219-22.
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