Objectives. Report of initial clinical experience with seromuscular co
locystoplasty lined with urothelium (SCLU), a new operation to increas
e bladder capacity and compliance without incorporating intestinal muc
osa into the urinary tract. We have previously reported the technique
and results of this procedure in a canine model. Methods. Sixteen pati
ents underwent SCLU at two institutions. Their charts were reviewed re
trospectively. The patients have been observed for a mean of 12 months
. Results. Postoperatively, the bladder capacity increased an average
of 2,4-fold from a mean of 139 mt (+/- 23.7 SEM) to 335 ml(+/- 38.9 SE
M) in 14 patients (P < 0.001). Two patients required reaugmentation. P
reoperative and postoperative bladder end filling pressures were avail
able in 13 patients and decreased from a mean of 51.6 cm H2O (+/- 4.2
SEM) to 27.7 cm H2O (+/- 2.4 SEM) (P < 0.001). Of the 16 patients, 13
were incontinent preoperatively; 5 had renal insufficiency. Three pati
ents have undergone renal transplantation following SCLU. After SCLU,
13 patients were dry day and night, 1 incontinent at night only, and 2
remained incontinent. Ten patients have undergone postoperative bladd
er biopsy. Seven demonstrate urothelium covering the augmented portion
of the bladder, 2 have regrowth of colonic mucosa, and 1 shows a mixt
ure of colonic mucosa and urothelium. Conclusions. The results present
ed suggest that SCLU is a viable alternative to the more conventional
forms of bladder augmentation in selected patients.