AN EVALUATION OF QUALITY-OF-LIFE IN PATIENTS WITH CONTINENT URINARY DIVERSIONS AFTER CYSTECTOMY

Objective To determine the long-term results and assess the quality of life in patients with continent urinary diversions after cystectomy. Patients and methods Eighty-six consecutive patients who received a co ntinent urinary diversion from 1988 to 1994 at the Vancouver Hospital and Health Sciences Center were evaluated, The evaluation comprised a review of their hospital charts and clinic visits at 3 months and then yearly. Quality of life issues were assessed using a postal questionn aire pertaining to the patient's urinary symptoms, activity level and overall well-being while living with a continent urinary diversion, Tw o separate questionnaires were sent, addressing heterotopic or orthoto pic diversions. Results There was an acceptable rate of complications, with stone formation and urinary tract infection as the most common m orbidities, Continence was rated as good in most patients, with no pat ient reporting complete incontinence. Undesirable urinary symptoms occ urred less often than 20% of the time in most patients, Although there was a significant effect on sex life, the overall quality of life app eared to be very good, as 70% of the patients had no limitations to th eir activities. Conclusions The techniques currently evolved for urina ry diversion produce good long-term results and quality of life. These diversions should be considered in a well selected patient population .