The Long-Term Outcomes of Augmentation Cystoplasty in Spinal Cord Injury Patients

Kim, Yun Beom; Park, Won Hee; Shim, Hong Bang

Abstract

PURPOSE: The long-term outcomes of augmentation cystoplasty were investigated in spinal cord injury (SCI) patients with a neurogenic bladder, and included a study of the complications and patients' satisfaction.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
19 SCI patients that underwent an augmentation cystoplasty, between 1988 and 1994, were retrospectively reviewed. The mean follow-up period was 120, ranging from 94 to 169 months. The changes in the intravesical pressure, bladder capacity and complications were investigated. Urological examinations, including history taking, medical records, radiological evaluations and urodynamic studies were undertaken. All the patients were interviewed by direct contact.
RESULTS
Six months postoperatively, the urodynamic results showed significantly decreased intravesical pressures and increased bladder capacities. The intravesical pressure (cmH2O) was decreased from 89.0+/-16.49 to 28.0+/-5.69 (p<0.05), and the functional bladder capacity (ml) was increased from 125.0+/-53.30 to 480.0+/-43.33 (p<0.05). From the long-term follow-up, 10 years postoperatively, the results were similar to the previous data (21.0+/-3.88cmH2O and 510.0+/-60.27ml). The symptomatic urinary tract infections had disappeared, but the asymptomatic bacteriuria continued. The vesicoureteral reflux was eliminated, and the renal function normalized, in all patients. The hydronephrosis had disappeared in most patients (89%). A few postoperative complications were reported. Most patients were very satisfied symptomatically (89%), with no patient expressing dissatisfaction. A clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) was performed every 4 to 6 hours, with the mean volume of drained urine was 450, ranging from 400 to 600ml.
CONCLUSIONS
Augmentation cystoplasty could be an excellent method of treatment in selected patients with SCI. There were no significant complications, and a high degree patients' satisfaction, on the long-term follow-up.