✦ Urinary Diversion Treatment

Urinary Diversion (Ileal Conduit)

Q: How is an ileal conduit different from a neobladder?

An ileal conduit drains into an external bag continuously — no self-catheterisation is needed. A neobladder is an internal reservoir that the patient voids from naturally.

Q: Can I swim and exercise with a urostomy?

Yes — modern waterproof urostomy appliances allow swimming, contact sport, gym exercise, and all physical activities. Patients wear normal clothing without any visible appliance outline.

Q: Can the ileal conduit be converted to a neobladder later?

In selected patients with adequate renal function, negative urethral margins, and sufficient physical fitness, conversion to a continent diversion is possible — though complex.

Permanent external urinary diversion using an isolated segment of small bowel

60–90 min (after cystectomy) PROCEDURE

7–10 Days HOSPITAL STAY

>95% SUCCESS RATE

4–6 Weeks RECOVERY

What is Urinary Diversion (Ileal Conduit)?

Urinary Diversion using an Ileal Conduit involves isolating a 15–20 cm segment of terminal ileum to create a conduit between the ureters and the abdominal skin surface. Both ureters are implanted into the proximal end of the conduit, and the distal end is brought to the skin as a urostomy stoma. Urine drains continuously into an external appliance. It is the most reliable, reproducible, and widely performed urinary diversion, with over seven decades of proven outcomes. The procedure is performed under general or spinal anaesthesia with a hospital stay of 7–10 Days.

Patients requiring urinary diversion after radical cystectomy for cancer, bladder dysfunction, radiation injury, or neurological conditions where continent diversion is not suitable. Patients must be adequately fit for anaesthesia and free from active systemic infection before proceeding.

How the Procedure Works

Ileal Segment Selection

After cystectomy, a 15–20 cm segment of terminal ileum at least 15 cm from the ileocaecal valve is isolated on its vascular pedicle.

Ureteric Anastomosis

Both ureters are spatulated and anastomosed to the proximal conduit end using the Wallace technique (conjoined anastomosis).

Stoma Creation

The distal conduit end is delivered through a pre-marked right lower quadrant trephine incision and matured as a spouted urostomy stoma.

Appliance Fitting

A urostomy appliance is fitted immediately in theatre by the stoma nurse.

Stoma Education

The stoma nurse provides comprehensive appliance management education during the admission.

Outcomes

60–90 minDURATION

7–10 DaysHOSPITAL STAY

>95%SUCCESS RATE

4–6 WeeksFULL RECOVERY

Who Needs This Treatment?

→Patients who cannot or choose not to self-catheterise, making continent diversion unsuitable.
→Elderly or frail patients where shorter operative time and simpler management is preferred.
→Those with prior pelvic radiation or complex pelvic anatomy where neobladder is unsafe.
→Patients with neurological impairment of hand function who cannot manage a catheterisable stoma.
→Anyone requiring the most reliable, durable, and proven form of urinary diversion.
→Those who have undergone cystectomy for cancer and need a safe, established diversion method.

"The ileal conduit has stood the test of seven decades as the most reliable form of urinary diversion. For patients facing cystectomy, it provides secure, durable drainage with a quality of life that modern appliances make entirely manageable."

— — Dr. Vipin Reddy, Consultant Urologist, Andrologist & Renal Transplant Surgeon

Common Questions

Frequently Asked

How is an ileal conduit different from a neobladder?+

Can I swim and exercise with a urostomy?+

Can the ileal conduit be converted to a neobladder later?+

Not sure which treatment is right for you?

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