Bladder augmentation is surgery to increase bladder size.
The Urinary Tract
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Bladder augmentation surgery makes the bladder large enough to collect urine. When the bladder is too small, urine can leak out of the body (incontinence) or back up into the kidneys ( reflux ). This can cause a kidney infection and could damage the kidneys. The procedure is used to treat serious forms of incontinence after other treatments have failed.
Birth defects and other conditions, like chronic obstructive bladder damage, can cause the bladder to be too small.
Surgery may also be done if you have:
Complications are rare. But, no procedure is completely free of risk. Your doctor will review a list of possible complications, including:
Smoking may increase the risk of complications.
Discuss these risks with your doctor.
Your doctor will:
Before surgery, your doctor may recommend that you:
General anesthesia will be used. It will block pain and keep you asleep through the surgery.
The doctor will make an incision in the abdomen. An incision will also be made on the top part of the bladder. A part of the intestine or stomach will be removed and placed over the opening in the bladder. This new part will work like a patch. The doctor will sew it into place.
The doctor may also create a stoma. This is a small opening through the abdominal wall to an opening at the top of the bladder. This will make it easier for you to insert the catheter into the bladder.
A catheter will be left in place to drain urine from the bladder.
You may be given fluids, pain medicines, and antibiotics through an IV. A tube will be placed through your nose to your stomach. This tube will keep your stomach drained of any contents. It will stay in place until your stomach and intestines begin working normally.
4-8 hours
Anesthesia prevents pain during surgery. Your doctor will give you pain medicines after surgery.
The usual stay is 6-10 days. If you have any problems, you will need to stay longer.
The staff will:
Do the following to help ensure a smooth recovery:
Contact your doctor if any of the following occur:
In case of an emergency, call for medical help right away.
RESOURCES:
National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse
http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/
Urology Care Foundation
http://www.urologyhealth.org/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Urological Association
http://www.cua.org/
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index_e.html/
References:
Bladder augmentation. Case Western Reserve University/MetroHealth Medical Center website. Available at: http://www.chrp.org/empowering/ba.shtm . Accessed December 12, 2012.
Bladder augmentation. Children’s Hospital Boston website. Available at: http://www.childrenshospital.org/az/Site2091/mainpageS2091P0.html . Accessed December 12, 2012.
Bladder augmentation. UrologyHealth.org website. Available at: http://www.urologyhealth.org/urology/index.cfm?article=56 . Updated January 2011. Accessed December 12, 2012.
Bladder augmentation surgery FAQ. UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital website. Available at: http://www.ucsfbenioffchildrens.org/education/bladder_augmentation_surgery/index.html . Accessed December 12, 2012.
Continent stomas. Case Western Reserve University/MetroHealth Medical Center website. Available at: http://www.chrp.org/empowering/cs.shtm . Accessed December 14, 2012.
6/6/2011 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance : Mills E, Eyawo O, Lockhart I, Kelly S, Wu P, Ebbert JO. Smoking cessation reduces postoperative complications: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Med. 2011;124(2):144-154.e8.
Last reviewed December 2012 by Adrienne Carmack, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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