Closure pressure studies of the tapered ileal segment and reinforced ileocecal valve in continent urinary diversion.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the function of the continent segment, a tapered terminal ileum with reinforced ileocecal valve, utilized in continent colonic urinary reservoir.

METHODS

Closure pressure study of the continent mechanism was performed in 20 patients with the colonic reservoir empty and at maximum capacity.

RESULTS

Maximum pressure within the tapered ileum was recorded at the reinforced ileocecal valve and was recorded when the reservoir was full. Pressure ranged between 60 and 200 cm water (mean, 139.5 cm H2O). The pressure within the reinforced segment exceeded the pressure within the reservoir at all times.

CONCLUSIONS

When properly reinforced, the ileocecal valve is able to maintain a closing pressure above that of the detubularized urinary reservoir, making it a reliable continent mechanism.