Bladder replacement by ileocystoplasty: the final treatment for interstitial cystitis.

OBJECTIVE

To develop and improve the technique of bladder replacement with ileum in patients with interstitial cystitis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A consecutive series of 27 patients (23 women and four men, median age 61 years, range 40-79) with chronic severe interstitial cystitis refractory to conservative therapies underwent cystectomy and bladder replacement using an ileal pouch. The relief of pain was assessed over a median follow-up of 30 months (range 2-48).

RESULTS

Pain relief was complete in all patients and the median neo-bladder capacity was 520 mL (range 350-700). Only four patients required intermittent self-catheterization to drain post-micturition residual urine. Bladder calculi formed in two patients and were removed successfully at cystoscopy.

CONCLUSION

Bladder replacement with ileum in the form of the Kock pouch is an effective surgical treatment for intractable interstitial cystitis.