Bladder Neck Closure in Conjunction with Enterocystoplasty and Mitrofanoff Diversion for Complex Incontinence: Closing the Door for Good

PurposeBladder neck closure is an irreversible procedure requiring compliance with catheterization of a cutaneous stoma and historically has been reserved for the definitive treatment of intractable incontinence after prior failed procedures. We assessed long-term outcomes of our patients undergoing bladder neck closure including continence status, additional surgical interventions, postoperative complications, conception and sexual function, and satisfaction with bladder neck closure.Materials and MethodsWe performed a retrospective review of all patients who underwent bladder neck closure between 1990 and 2010 at our institution.ResultsA total of 28 consecutive patients (exstrophy 15 and neurogenic bladder 13 [myelomeningocele 4, cloacal anomaly 4, spinal cord injury 2, VACTERL (Vertebral Anorectal Cardiac Tracheo-Esophageal Radial Renal Limb) 1, sacral agenesis 1 and urogenital sinus 1]) were identified. Of these patients 19 (68%) had undergone 20 unsuccessful bladder neck procedures before bladder neck closure. Bladder neck closure was initially successful in 27 of the 28 (96.4%) patients. One patient required subsequent closure of a postoperative vesicovaginal fistula. Median time from bladder neck closure was 69 months (range 16 to 250). In 11 patients 16 additional procedures were required, including stomal injection of bulking agents (2), stomal revision for stenosis (2) or prolapse (1), percutaneous nephrolithotripsy for stone (1), open cystolithotomy (2), extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for upper tract stones (4), repair of augment rupture (3) and open retrograde ureteral stenting for stone (1). The total surgical re-intervention rate was 39.3% (11 of 28). There were no observed cases of progressive or de novo hydronephrosis.ConclusionsBladder neck closure in conjunction with enterocystoplasty and Mitrofanoff diversion is an effective means of achieving continence in complex cases as a primary or secondary therapy. Long-term urological followup into adulthood is essential.