VESICOSTOMY IN CHILDHOOD - INDICATIONS AND RESULTS

The authors report their experience with 27 patients who underwent cut aneous vesicostomy (CV) diversion for either lower tract disorders or obstruction. The indications for CV included 18 cases of neurogenic bl adder, 3 pseudo-prune belly syndrome, 3 bladder exstrophy, 2 vesicoure teral reflux, and 1 posterior urethral valves. A Lapides-type techniqu e with minor changes was performed in all cases. Improvement of renal function occurred after CV in all but 3 patients (11.1%). No early sur gical complications were observed. Late complications occurred in 8 pa tients (29.6%): 4 (14.8%) had a stomal stenosis and 4 (14.8%) urinary tract infections. The overall revision rate was 7.4%. We believe this technique is simple to perform, tubeless, easy to manage, and readly r eversible. Our experience tends to confirm CV to be an easy, effective , and reversible means to treat children and infants with selected pat hology of the lower urinary tract, Results and complications are discu ssed.