Voiding Function in Women with Orthotopic Bladder Substitution: Initial Report, A Questionnaire Survey

Kim, Dong Wook; Chung, Han; Kim, Choung Soo

Abstract

PURPOSE: Although the advent of orthotopic bladder substitution in women was a major achievement in the evolution of urinary diversion, the mechanism of voiding dysfunction remains to be fully understood. This is a report on the voiding function of the ileal neobladder, based on a questionnaire survey of 6 female patients.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Between 1995 and 2002, 7 of 10 women(mean age 56.1) that underwent an orthotopic bladder substitution were evaluated using uroflowmetry, bladder diary and voiding cystourethrography. Six patients completed the questionnaire. The mean follow-up period was 24.6 months(range 1 to 72 months).
RESULTS
From the uroflowmetry, the mean maximum flow rate was 12.2ml/sec, with a low average flow rate(mean 6.2ml/sec), and the voiding time was considerably prolonged(mean 68.5sec). According to the bladder diary and questionnaire responses, although the frequency and tidal volume of micturition were normal, the majority of patients were conscious of retarded, intermittent, prolonged and weak streams, with straining during voiding. Of the 7 patients, 5(71.4%) achieved excellent daytime continence, but 6(85.7%) had nighttime incontinence. One patient was unable to void and required regular intermittent catheterization. Two patients sometimes, or often, performed self-catheterization due to residual urine. According to the questionnaire responses, 4(66.7%) of the 6 patients stated that their micturition status was better or the same compared with their preoperative status, and 4(66.7%) of the patients felt satisfied. The degree of inconvenience was low for every item and the limitation on daily life was considered minimal. Cystograms revealed a descent of the pouch and urethral angulation in the 3 patients with difficulty in urination or hypercontinence.
CONCLUSIONS
Orthotopic bladder substitution after a radical cystectomy in women provides relatively satisfactory functional outcomes.