Urinary Diversion With vs Without Bowel Anastomosis in Patients With an Existing Colostomy: A Multi-institutional Study

Management of the Transitional Urology Patient: the Role of the Adult Reconstructive Urologist

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Patients with congenital urologic conditions present unique challenges as adults. Herein, we review the literature relevant to the adult reconstructive urologist confronted with complex surgical concerns affecting their patients with a history of hypospadias, spina bifida, and other syndromes affecting the genitourinary tract.

RECENT FINDINGS

Urethral stricture disease related to hypospadias is complex, but successful urethroplasty and penile curvature correction can be achieved with an anatomically minded approach. Multiple urinary diversion techniques can be considered in a patient-centered approach to bladder management in the adult spina bifida patient, but complications are common and revision surgeries are frequently required. Strong evidence is lacking for most surgical techniques in this population, but experiences reported by pediatric and adult urologists with genitourinary reconstruction training can help foster consensus in decision-making. Urologists trained in genitourinary reconstruction may be uniquely positioned to care for the transitional urology patient as they enter adolescence and adulthood.

Outcomes of Urinary Diversion for Late Adverse Effects of Gynecologic Radiotherapy

OBJECTIVE

To describe the risks of urinary diversion performed to address adverse effects of gynecologic radiation, with the hypothesis that high grade complications would be more common in sarcopenic women and in those undergoing continent diversion (vs noncontinent) or concomitant cystectomy (vs bladder-sparing diversion).

METHODS

A retrospective review was performed of patient records of women who underwent urinary diversion for urinary adverse effects of gynecologic radiotherapy during the period of 2008-2018 from 3 tertiary centers. Skeletal muscle index was calculated to assess for sarcopenia based on preoperative computed tomography scans. Outcomes include high-grade postoperative complications within 90 days of surgery, 30-day readmission rate, and long-term (>90 days) outcomes.

RESULTS

Among 34 women who met the inclusion criteria, the majority were white/Caucasian (73.5%). Twenty-six of 34 (76.5%) underwent noncontinent diversion. Seventy nine percent (27/34) (79.4%) of women experienced complications within 90 days; 9 of 34 (26.5%) experienced high-grade (Clavien grade ≥3) complications. Thirty-two percent (11/34) were readmitted within 30 days. Rates of high-grade complications were not significantly impacted by diversion type (P = .49), concurrent cystectomy (P = .70), or sarcopenia (P = 1.0).

CONCLUSIONS

Urinary diversion for late adverse effects of gynecologic radiotherapy is associated with high peri-operative risk, even in skilled hands. In this series, neither sarcopenia, nor continent diversion, nor cystectomy were associated with increased complications. Patients and surgeons should consider risks and benefits when deciding to proceed with urinary diversion, however further study is needed to elucidate significant preoperative markers which may predispose patients to significant complications.

Multi-institutional Outcomes for Simultaneous and Staged Urinary and Fecal Diversions in Patients Without Cancer

OBJECTIVE

To compare the morbidity and postoperative recovery between patients treated with urinary diversion after colostomy with patients undergoing simultaneous double diversion (DD).

METHODS

A multi-institutional retrospective review was performed in patients treated with urinary diversion after colostomy or simultaneous DD between 2007 and 2014 for noncancerous indications. The Clavien-Dindo system was used to classify complications occurring within 90 days of surgery, and high-grade adverse events (HGAE) were classified grade 3 or higher.

RESULTS

A total of 46 patients were identified with fecal and urinary diversions (19 in the after colostomy (AC) group, 27 in the DD group). Common indications for urinary diversion were neurogenic bladder (54%) and urinary fistula (44%). Mean hospital stay and return of bowel function after surgery for entire cohort was 13 and 7 days, respectively, with no differences between AC and DD groups. Almost 50% of patients in the cohort experienced an HGAE but there was no difference in HGAE incidence (8/19 AC, 13/27 DD; P = .69) or complication type between the groups. Increased operative time (5% risk per every 15 minutes over 7 hours, P = .03) was the only independent variable associated with increased risk of HGAE. DD was not independently associated with increased risk of HGAE compared with staged urinary diversion.

CONCLUSION

Morbidity and postoperative recovery appeared similar whether urinary diversion is performed after colostomy or during a DD.