Urinary diversion

Urology treatment

Urinary diversion

A surgical procedure that reroutes the normal flow of urine out of the body.

About managing urinary flow

When your bladder is removed during a radical cystectomy, an alternative way of passing urine out of your kidneys needs to be found.

There are a number of treatments available. In some cases you may be able to make a choice based on your personal preference, and the support of your consultant.

What happens during treatment?

Urostomy

A small hole will be made on one side of your abdominal wall, which will be the site of the stoma. A section of your small bowel is detached with its blood supply, connected to the ureters at one end and forms the stoma at the other. A pouch is connected to the stoma to collect urine.

Continent urinary diversion

A section of your bowel will be used to create an internal pouch to store urine. You'll be able to empty the pouch by inserting a catheter into the continent which drains away urine.

Bladder reconstruction

A section of your bowel will be formed into a bladder-like sac, before being connected to the urethra at one end and ureters at the other. This is called a neobladder.

How to prepare

Urinary diversion is a major type of abdominal surgery. You will need to undergo bowel preparation with special laxatives and enemas, which will be explained to you beforehand. You will be admitted at least one day before surgery.

Your consultant will tell you how best to prepare and how long you'll be cared for by us in hospital. Like all procedures, there may be some risks and side effects involved. Your consultant will explain these to you.

After surgery

After urinary diversion surgery it can take up to three months to recover. Your consultant will let you know when you can expect to get back to your usual routine, including exercise and work.