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What Are the Three Types of Urinary Diversion?

When a medical condition requires removal of the urinary bladder, another means for urine to leave, or be diverted from, the body must be created. A surgical procedure is used to create one of three types of urinary diversions.

  1. Procedures

    • For all three surgical procedures, a part of the small or large bowel is used for reconstruction. This is done by disconnecting the bowel from the fecal stream.

    Ileal Conduit Diversion

    • This is a relatively simple surgery that allows the end of the ileum to drain out through an abdominal wall opening and deposit the urine into an external bag.

    Indiana Pouch Reservoir Diversion

    • This surgical method uses portions of the intestines to make a pouch. Urine is stored in the pouch until it can be drained out through a catheter that is inserted through the stoma (an opening in the abdominal wall).

    Neobladder to Urethra Diversion

    • A neobladder, or new bladder, is made to closely mimic the ability of the urinary bladder. Part of the small intestine is used to make a pouch, which is then connected to the urethra.

    Disadvantages

    • Ileal conduit diversion can cause urine to back up into the kidneys, which can lead to infections, stones and organ damage. The Indiana pouch procedure has a longer recovery time compared with ileal conduit diversion, and neobladder to urethra diversion can cause long-term incontinence.

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