Neobladder reconstruction - Mayo Clinic
COVID-19 Advice updates and vaccine options
Find out about COVID-19, COVID-19 vaccines, and Mayo Clinic patient and visitor updates. Skip to site navigation Skip to Content This content does not have an English version.This content does not have an Arabic version. Search Request an Appointment Find a Doctor Find a Job Give Now Log in to Patient Account English Español العربية 简体中文 Twitter Facebook Pinterest YouTube Menu Request an Appointment Patient Care & Health Information Tests & Procedures Neobladder reconstruction
Print Overview
Neobladder reconstruction is a surgical procedure to construct a new bladder. If a bladder is no longer working properly or is removed to treat another condition, a surgeon can create a new way for urine to exit the body (urinary diversion). Neobladder reconstruction is one option for urinary diversion. During the procedure, a surgeon uses a piece of intestine to create a new bladder. The new bladder allows a person to urinate voluntarily and control when to urinate. The procedure is also called an orthotopic neobladder reconstruction. Orthotopic refers to things being in their usual place in the body. The new bladder is placed in the same location as the original bladder. Products & Services
Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th EditionNewsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter - Digital EditionShow more products from Mayo Clinic Why it s done
Neobladder reconstruction is an option when a bladder is surgically removed because it is diseased or no longer works properly. Some reasons that people have their bladders removed include: Bladder cancer A bladder that no longer works properly, which can be caused by radiation therapy, neurological conditions, chronic inflammatory disease or other disease Urinary incontinence that hasn't responded to other treatment Conditions present at birth that cannot be repaired Trauma to the bladder Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic Risks
Several complications may occur with neobladder reconstruction, including: Bleeding Blood clots Infection Urine leaks Urine retention Electrolyte imbalances Vitamin B-12 deficiency Loss of bladder control (incontinence) Cancer of the intestine How you prepare
Food and medications
Your surgeon may ask you to have a clear liquid diet for 1 to 2 days before surgery. You'll likely need to stop eating and drinking after midnight on the night before your procedure. Let your doctor know about all of the medications, vitamins and dietary supplements you're taking. In some cases, you may need to stop these medications before your surgery. Learning to self-catheterize
Being unable to empty the bladder completely (urinary retention) is a potential complication of neobladder reconstruction. If this happens, you need to be willing to do self-catheterization. In self-catheterization, you put a narrow tube (catheter) through the opening to your bladder (urethra) to drain urine and relieve pressure on the bladder. A nurse or other health care provider will teach you how to self-catheterize. What you can expect
Before the procedure
Your surgeon orders tests to check your kidney function and to make sure that you don't have a urinary tract infection. You may also have an imaging test, such as a CT scan, of your urinary tract to check the ureters - tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder - to see that they are in good condition. During the procedure
Neobladder reconstruction Open pop-up dialog box Close Neobladder reconstruction
Neobladder reconstruction
During neobladder surgery, a surgeon takes out the existing bladder and forms an internal pouch from part of the intestine. The pouch, called a neobladder, stores urine. The general steps in neobladder reconstruction include: Removing the nonfunctioning or diseased bladder Separating a portion of the large intestine, small intestine or parts of both Reshaping intestinal tissue into a spherical bladder Placing the new bladder in the same location as the original bladder Attaching the new bladder to the ureters Attaching the new bladder to the tube that controls the release of urine from the body (urethra) Repairing the intestines Placing a temporary catheter in the urethra for draining the bladder during recovery Your surgeon may perform the procedure through a single opening in your abdomen or with a laparoscopic approach. Laparoscopic surgery involves several very small openings for imaging and surgical tools to pass into the lower abdomen. This surgery may also be performed with the use of robotic devices. After the procedure
The hospital stay after neobladder reconstruction is usually about 3 to 5 days. Before you leave the hospital, a nurse or other health care provider will give you written instructions and talk to you about the following: Wound care Catheter management A regular schedule for draining your bladder Exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor Follow-up appointments for monitoring recovery and how well the new bladder is working It may take some time for the neobladder to work well. Immediately after surgery, you may have a difficult time controlling your bladder and may experience involuntary loss of urine (urinary incontinence). This may happen until the neobladder stretches to a typical size and the muscles that support it get stronger. Daytime bladder control (continence) usually improves over the first 6 to 12 months after surgery. Nighttime continence may continue to improve through the second year. Persistent problems with incontinence are more common during the night. Lifelong follow-up is needed after a neobladder reconstruction. Ask your doctor how often you should plan to return for follow-up visits. Clinical trials
Explore Mayo Clinic studies of tests and procedures to help prevent, detect, treat or manage conditions. By Mayo Clinic Staff Neobladder reconstruction care at Mayo Clinic Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic Doctors & Departments March 17, 2022 Print Share on: FacebookTwitter Show references AskMayoExpert. Urinary diversion. Mayo Clinic; 2021. Sperling CD, et al. Urinary diversion: Core Curriculum 2021. American Journal of Kidney Disease. 2021; doi:10.1053/j.ajkd.2020.12.023. Partin AW, et al., eds. Orthotopic urinary diversion. In: Campbell-Walsh-Wein Urology. 12th ed. Elsevier; 2021. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Dec. 20, 2021. McAninch JW, et al., eds. Urinary diversions and bladder substitutions. In: Smith & Tanagho's General Urology. 19th ed. McGraw Hill; 2020. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. Accessed Dec. 21, 2021. Preparing for surgery: Checklist. American Society of Anesthesiologists. https://www.asahq.org/madeforthismoment/preparing-for-surgery/prep/preparing-for-surgery-checklist/. Accessed Dec. 21, 2021. Member institutions. Alliance for Clinical Trials. https://www.allianceforclinicaltrialsinoncology.org/main/public/standard.xhtml?path=%2FPublic%2FInstitutions. Accessed Dec. 21, 2021. Related
Bladder cancer Neobladder reconstruction Neobladder urinary diversion Products & Services
Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th Edition Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter - Digital Edition Show more products and services from Mayo Clinic Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota has been recognized as the top Urology hospital in the nation for 2022-2023 by U S News & World Report
Learn more about this top honor Neobladder reconstruction
AboutDoctors & DepartmentsCare at Mayo Clinic Advertisement
Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Advertising & Sponsorship Policy Opportunities Ad Choices Mayo Clinic Press
Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic on IncontinenceNEW – The Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic PressNEW – The Essential Diabetes BookNEW – Mayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance - Mayo Clinic PressNEW – Mayo Clinic on Hearing and BalanceFREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic PressFREE Mayo Clinic Diet AssessmentMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book PRC-20255704 Patient Care & Health Information Tests & Procedures Neobladder reconstruction