SIMPLE DETUBULARIZATION TECHNIQUE FOR CONSTRUCTION OF CONTINENT COLONIC URINARY RESERVOIRS

Objectives. Despite the advantages offered by continent urinary diversion techniques, wide acceptance of the procedure has been hampered by the length of time required to detubularize and suture the reconfigured bowel. With the purpose of simplifying the procedure, a linear stapler loaded with absorbable staples was used to accomplish simultaneous detubularization and closure of the reservoirs. Methods. Six patients, 4 men and 2 women received a stapled detubularized reservoir following radical cystectomy. The male patients all had construction of a neobladder, whereas in the females a catheterizable continent stoma was designed. Results. Operative time was shortened by an average of 30 to 45 minutes without technical difficulties. No postoperative complications related to the staple line occurred and with a follow-up of 6 months good functional results have been achieved, with no patient experiencing diurnal incontinence. Conclusions. This simple mechanical detubularization technique offers results similar to the hand suture method while at the same time shortening and simplifying the procedure.