ABSTRACT
Augmentation cystoplasty is used as a lower urinary tract reconstructive technique for creating a compliant bladder to protect the upper urinary tract and to provide urinary continence when more conservative management fails. The standard enterocystoplasty involves anastomosing an adequate sized, well vascularized patch of bowel with the urinary bladder. This procedure is classically performed through an open laparotomy incision utilizing various segments of the gastrointestinal system. However, no intestinal segment is a perfect physiologic substitute for a native bladder, and all have the potential for a variety of complications. The choice of the bowel segment is based primarily on the clinical requirements of the patient and secondarily on the preference of the surgeons. Recently, the laparoscopic approach to bladder augmentation has become the primary approach for procedures of augmentation enterocystoplasty. As demonstrated below, the technical steps in performing a laparoscopic bladder augmentation are designed to emulate its open surgical counterpart in every aspect, thereby producing similar functional results with an improved recovery.
