A pilot study of the assessment of the quality of life, functional results, and complications in patients with an ileal neobladder for invasive bladder cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the functional results, health-related quality of life (QOL) outcomes, and complications in patients with an ileal neobladder in comparison to those with cutaneous diversion (ileal conduit and cutaneostomy).


METHODS
Between September 1992 and February 2003, we consecutively performed an ileal neobladder (the Studer method) in 30 patients and cutaneous diversion in 38 patients. In August 2004, questionnaires were mailed to 54 patients. The questionnaire included the validated health-related quality of life (QOL) questionnaire, SF-36 General Health Survey, and a urinary incontinence questionnaire. We also evaluated the functional results in patients with an ileal neobladder and the postoperative complications in patients with both urinary diversions.


RESULTS
The data from 41 patients (21 ileal neobladder procedures and 20 cutaneous diversions) were available for the analysis. No differences in the overall QOL were observed between the two groups. Complete daytime and night-time urinary continence was achieved in the 21 patients (100%) and 13 patients (61.9%), respectively. The mean value of the maximum flow rate was 15 +/- 12 mL/min in the 21 neobladder patients. There were 19 early complications in 18 patients (60.0%) and seven late complications in six patients (20.0%) with an ileal neobladder. However, there were 15 early complications in 14 patients (36.8%) and eight late complications in six patients (15.8%) with cutaneous diversions.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings regarding the health-related QOL and the frequency of complications in the neobladder group and those in the cutaneous diversion group were similar. However, the functional results and the status of urinary continence in the neobladder patients were satisfactory.
Harano
Masahiko
M
Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukoka, Japan.
Eto
Masatoshi
M
Nakamura
Motonobu
M
Hasegawa
Yoshihiro
Y
Kano
Motonori
M
Yamaguchi
Akito
A
Naito
Seiji
S
D000368:Aged; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007082:Ileum / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014547:Urinary Diversion / Q000009:adverse effects; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D016476:Urinary Reservoirs, Continent / Q000009:adverse effects