Histomorphology of an ileal orthotopic neobladder: 24 year's follow-up

No morphological data are so far available about long-term lover 15 years) adaptation and outcome of ileal neobladders, In this single case report we have stud led a 72-year-old man who underwent reconstruction of an ileal ne obladder 24 years ago. The ileal epithelium shows changes toward a colonic aspect with villous atrophy and increased goblet cell number although, as i n normal ileum, sialomucins are the most abundant secretory products. Neuro endocrine cells are reduced to a few elements of a single morphological cla ss. Even in the presence of a low apoptotic rate reduced cell proliferation causes mucosal thinning, These adaptive mechanisms grant an excellent clin ical and functional result even beyond 20 years after surgery. It is sugges ted that ileal neobladder can constitute an important model for the study o f epithelial differentiation control.