[Quality of life and skin urinary diversions. Results of a questionnaire completed by 73 patients].

UNLABELLED

The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of life of patients with a cutaneous urinary diversion.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A 25-item self-administered questionnaire was sent to 73 patients with a cutaneous urinary diversion, either non-continent (NCD), such as a transileal cutaneous ureterostomy, or continent (CD), such as a Mainz or Kock reservoir.

RESULTS

66 patients answered the questionnaire: 34 NCD and 32 CD. The mean follow-up was 69.2 years for NCD and 58 years for CD. No significant difference was demonstrated between the two samples in terms of the interference of their diversion with their everyday life. Most patients declared that their sex life was now "severely disturbed". However, 3 patients regained a sexual activity after their diversion. Patients with an ideal conduit presented a higher incidence of stoma problems. Overall, 90% of patients with an NCD and 97% of those with a CD were satisfied or very satisfied with their diversion.

CONCLUSION

Regardless of the type of diversion, patients were satisfied with their operation. When a cutaneous diversion is necessary, the choice of a continent or non-continent diversion cannot be solely based on the argument of "continence". The best possible choice, as a function of surgical limitations and the patient's desires, can only be determined on the basis of a dialogue between the surgeon and the patient.