Bladder surgery and stents for bladder management

Authors: SCIRE Community Team | Reviewer: Bonnie Nybo | Published: 18 January 2018 | Updated: 16 October 2024

Bladder surgery is usually only considered if other less-invasive treatments are not effective. Surgical procedures that may be used include the Mitrofanoff procedure, bladder augmentation, sphincterotomy (for males), and urethral stents.

The Mitrofanoff procedure involves the use of the appendix or part of the intestine to create a channel between the abdomen and bladder. The channel self-seals shut when the catheter is removed. This channel can be used for insertion of a catheter for intermittent catheterization. The urine can then be drained into a cup or toilet. This may be useful for people who have difficulty self-catheterizing directly into the urethra and is often used for women (who have greater difficulty inserting catheters).

The Mitrofanoff procedure involves connecting parts of the intestine to the bladder.⁹

Bladder augmentation (also called augmentation cystoplasty) is a procedure in which the bladder is made bigger to create more room to hold urine. This is done by removing a segment of the intestine and stitching this tissue to an incision into the bladder to make the bladder bigger. Bladder augmentation may help to reduce pressure in the bladder and help to prevent incontinence related to spastic bladder.

Bladder augmentation is a surgical procedure done to enlarge the bladder by using parts of the intestine.¹⁰

Sphincterotomy is a surgical procedure where the internal sphincter muscle (the circular muscle that surrounds the outlet of the bladder) is cut to weaken the muscle. This is done to improve bladder emptying if this muscle is causing difficulties emptying. After a sphincterotomy, bladder emptying will happen; therefore, you must wear a collection device.

Urethral stents are prosthetic tubes (usually coils of metal) with openings on both sides that are be inserted into the opening of the bladder to hold it open. This is done to allow for improved bladder emptying for people with difficulty emptying due to overactivity in the bladder sphincter muscles.