Urostomy
Urostomy, also called urinary diversion, is performed to divert urine from a diseased or damaged section of the urinary tract. It is usually performed after the removal of the bladder. In this procedure, which is performed under general or spinal anesthesia, an opening in the abdomen (ostomy) is created for the discharge of urine. There are a number of surgical
procedures available.
When the bladder is removed or is unable to store urine, a urinary diversion is necessary. This may be in the form of an ileal conduit (non-continent diversion) or an Indiana Pouch (continent diversion). An ileal conduit or indiana is formed from a small section of the small intestine (ileum) into which is implanted ureters carrying urine from the kidneys. A small section of the ileum is used to conduct urine to the stoma.
The most common type of urostomy is called an ileal conduit. For this procedure a small segment of the ileum is separated from the small intestine. The small intestine is reconnected so that bowel movements may pass normally. The tubes that carry urine from the kidneys (ureters) are then connected to the separated intestinal segment. One end of the segment is closed. The other end is brought to the abdomen wall, where the surgeon creates the stoma. This procedure may also be performed using a piece of large intestine. This is called a colon conduit.
Because a conduit is not a bladder — the organ responsible for holding urine — a plastic pouch must be attached to the skin surrounding the stoma at all times to collect urine. Depending on the type of surgery, the stoma may be located on the right or left side of the abdomen.
A urostomy is almost always permanent. On rare occasions, though, children may need a temporary urostomy for congenital anomalies, such as extroversion of the bladder. |
