title: Continence outcomes in patients undergoing robotic assisted laparoscopic mitrofanoff appendicovesicostomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Continent catheterizable channels for emptying the bladder are typically performed via an open surgical approach. We present our surgical approach and initial outcomes with specific attention to continence for robotic assisted laparoscopic Mitrofanoff appendicovesicostomy formation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between February 2008 and April 2010, 13 patients were considered for robotic assisted laparoscopic Mitrofanoff appendicovesicostomy and 11 underwent the procedure (2 open conversions). Five patients underwent enterocystoplasty with appendicovesicostomy and 6 underwent isolated appendicovesicostomy. The appendicovesicostomy anastomosis was performed on the anterior (without augmentation) or posterior (with augmentation) bladder wall and the stoma was brought to the umbilical site or right lower quadrant. Detrusor backing (4 cm) was ensured except in 1 patient (number 5).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean patient age at surgery was 10.4 years (range 5 to 14). Mean estimated blood loss was 61.8 cc. Mean operative time for isolated appendicovesicostomy was 347 minutes and there were no intraoperative complications. Incontinence through the stoma developed in 1 patient with inadequate detrusor backing (less than 4 cm), which resolved with dextranomer/hyaluronic acid injection into the appendicovesicostomy anastomosis. This patient had resolution of incontinence with an increase in bladder capacity to 300 cc. Three patients required skin flap revision for cutaneous scarring. To date all patients are catheterizing without difficulty and are continent. Median followup was 20 months (range 3 to 29).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We are encouraged by our preliminary experience with the robotic assisted laparoscopic Mitrofanoff appendicovesicostomy continent urinary diversion with or without ileocystoplasty. Early in the experience we emphasize the importance of 4 cm of detrusor backing to maintain stomal continence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Section of Urology, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA. mark.wille@uchospitals.edu
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Wille
authors.forename: Gregory P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Zagaja
authors.forename: Arieh L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Shalhav
authors.forename: Mohan S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Gundeti
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D001065:Appendix / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003559:Cystostomy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D010030:Ostomy / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012371:Robotics; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D001750:Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic / Q000601:surgery*; D016476:Urinary Reservoirs, Continent