ABSTRACT
Over the past 25 years, dedicated efforts have been made continually to improve upon lower urinary tract reconstruction in patients requiring urinary diversion following removal of their bladder. The goals of urinary diversion have evolved from simply diverting the urine and protecting the upper urinary tracts. Contemporary objectives of urinary diversion should provide a continent means to store and eliminate urine in an effort to provide a socially improved quality of life. Currently, there are four potential options regarding lower urinary tract reconstruction:
■ Incontinent cutaneous diversion-including the ileal or colon conduit ■ continent cutaneous reservoir-requiring catheterization of a cutaneous abdominal wall
stoma ■ continent rectal reservoir-with elimination of urine via the rectum ■ orthotopic bladder substitute-with reconstruction to the native intact urethra.
