Enterocystoplasty complications in children. A study of 30 cases

Background/Purpose: Bladder augmentation for small vesical capacity represe nts an important aid to these patients, but the appearence of complications is not rare. We analysed the complications of the enterocystoplasty techni ques used in our Department. Methods: From 1983 to 1997 sixteen girls and fourteen boys were treated. We performed 28 bladder augmentations tin 13 cases using small bowel, in one case using ileum and caecum and in 14 cases using sigmoid colon) and 2 blad der substitutions tin one case with ileum and sigmoid colon and in the seco nd using a colonic segment). Results: Twelve children present recurrent urinary infections. In five chil dren bladder stones were formed (among them a case of familial cystinuria-l ysinuria). Two children presented intestinal volvulus and another one a cae cal volvulus. In two children a perforation of the augmented bladder was tr eated operatively. An 11-years-old child presented severe electrolyte distu rbances. Conclusions: The complications presented in our patients confirm the view t hat they are associated with intestinal mucosa in the bladder and our study proves, once more, the current necessily to seek alternative tissues for b ladder augmentation.