Long-term results of trigone-preserving orthotopic substitution enterocystoplasty for interstitial cystitis.

PURPOSE

Interstitial cystitis is a chronic debilitating condition mainly affecting women. Conservative treatment often produces unsatisfactory results and the identification of the best surgical treatment modality is difficult. We evaluate retrospectively the long-term results of trigone-preserving cystectomy followed by orthotopic substitution enteroplasty for women suffering from interstitial cystitis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study comprised 18 women with a mean age of 55.9 years. All surgical interventions were performed by 1 surgeon. All patients completed a voiding log and were interviewed about symptoms. Renal ultrasonography was done to evaluate the upper urinary tract. Followup data also comprised blood chemistry studies, including vitamin B12 blood levels and blood gas analysis. Pain and lower urinary tract problems were measured using a validated self-assessment symptom index.

RESULTS

Ileocoecal augmentation was performed in 10 women and ileal substitute was done in 8. After a mean followup of 57 months 14 patients are completely pain-free, 12 void spontaneously and 15 report complete resolution of dysuria. Three patients perform intermittent self-catheterization and 1 woman prefers a suprapubic catheter for control of urinary hypercontinence. These 4 patients underwent ileoplasty. Surgery failed to relieve symptoms in 2 of the 18 patients. Surgery achieved a statistically highly significant improvement of diurnal and nocturnal voiding frequencies, functional bladder capacity and symptom index score.

CONCLUSIONS

Substitution enterocystoplasty is a valuable and safe therapeutic option for patients with intractable interstitial cystitis resistant to conservative therapy. In our series use of the ileocecal bowel segment showed better functional results.