With woman
The anatomy of the urinary tract differs between men and women. This is why the type of artificial bladder used for women and men also differs in some respects. Among other things, the ureters of men and women differ especially in their length.
This leads to an increased probability of infections of the urinary tract. Since it has been found that the female urethra often recurs even after the tumor has been removed, it is often removed during a bladder resection. As a result, the use of an artificial bladder, which is connected to the urethra and thus represents a continuous urinary diversion, is less common in women. For this reason, the creation of a pouch or conduit after the removal of the bladder is usually the method of choice for women.
After cancer
One of the most common causes for the creation of an artificial bladder is the development of a tumor of the urinary tract. In addition to tumors of the bladder itself, tumors of the urethra can also cause the bladder to be removed and rebuilt. The type of tumor and its aggressiveness are always decisive for the choice of which artificial bladder is considered individually.
The degree of progression also influences the therapeutic options. Apart from the insertion of an artificial bladder, other treatment options can be used first. For example, an attempt can be made to scrape out tumor cells from the inside.
Radiotherapy or chemotherapy of tumors limited to the urinary tract is also possible. Which type of artificial bladder is used for a bladder removed due to a tumor must be decided individually. It is often possible to insert an artificial bladder from sections of the small intestine. However, other existing illnesses and pre-existing conditions as well as the situation at the time of the operation have a significant influence on the choice of urinary diversion.
Operation
An artificial bladder is always inserted by surgery. The operation of an artificial bladder is a complex urological procedure. A detailed explanation of the procedure and its alternatives can be provided by the treating surgeon and his team.
Specialists in performing such an operation are urologists. The first step is to remove the body’s own bladder. Then, based on the individual situation, it is decided whether the previously chosen choice of bladder replacement is feasible.
The structure of the intestine and the anatomical situation of the urinary tract are decisive for the surgeon’s decision. After the old bladder has been removed, the required intestinal section is removed and thoroughly cleaned. The bladder is then shaped from the section using various incision techniques. The ureters, which drain urine from the kidney, must then be sutured to the new bladder. Depending on the choice of drainage, the urethra can now be sutured to the reservoir or another intestinal section is used to drain the urine to the abdominal wall.
