Ileal conduit urinary diversion in patients with previous history of abdominal/pelvic irradiation

Urinary diversion among patients receiving prior radiation is common. Herein, we present our experience with ileal conduit (IC) diversion in patients with a history of prior abdominal and/or pelvic radiation therapy. We analyzed the charts of 177 patients who underwent IC urinary diversion between 1/1994 and 6/2000, and 36 patients were identified who had previously undergone radiation therapy. Decisions to proceed were based on surgeon preference as determined by intraoperative appearance and viability of the selected bowel segment. Chart review included serum studies, upper tract imaging studies, and complications related to diversion. Durability of diversion was determined by examining the interval between urinary diversion and the need for additional procedures. A total of 30 patients with at least 3 months follow-up were identified. Renal function remained stable in 86% (26/30) with a median follow-up of 21.5 months (range 3–63 months). Hydronephrosis was noted preoperatively in 4 patients (13%) who demonstrated stable upper tracts and serum creatinine in the post-operative period. Three patients (10%) developed unilateral hydronephrosis related to tumor recurrence, with one patient demonstrating a rise in baseline serum creatinine. Hydronephrosis was noted in 5 patients (16%) secondary to development of ureteroenteric stricture. Serum creatinine remained stable in 2 patients without intervention with 2 years follow-up. Intervention for obstruction was necessary in 3 patients at 22, 31, and 61 months following diversion. In one patient, an intraoperative decision to use the colon for urinary diversion was made secondary to appearance of small bowel. Minor complications were noted in 9 patients (30%), while 3 patients (10%) experienced major complications in the immediate post-operative period. Five patients (17%) experienced complications potentially related to the use of ileum for urinary diversion. The use of ileum for urinary diversion among patients with a history of radiation appears technically feasible and a viable treatment alternative. Our data support the use of ileum in the majority of patients as evidence by a low complication rate and a high rate of upper tract preservation. In addition, these data imply that a prior history of abdominal and/or pelvic radiation should not serve as the sole determining factor in the selection of bowel segment utilized during urinary diversion.