Urine is made by the kidneys. It passes from the kidneys into the bladder through two tubes called the ureters. Then it leaves the bladder through another tube, called the urethra.
Graphic 79864 Version 6.0
View Originalfigure 1Anatomy of the urinary tract
Urine is made by the kidneys. It passes from the kidneys into the bladder through two tubes called the ureters. Then it leaves the bladder through another tube, called the urethra.
Graphic 79864 Version 6.0
View OriginalHow urine leaves the body after the bladder is removed
After removing a persons bladder, the surgeon must create a new way for urine to leave the body. There are 3 ways to do this:
(A) The surgeon can connect the ureters to a tube that drains through a hole on the surface of the skin. This is called a stoma. People who have a stoma must attach a bag around the outside of the stoma to collect urine.
(B) The surgeon can connect the ureters to a pouch that collects urine and then connect it to a stoma. People who have a pouch must drain the pouch every few hours by inserting a tube into the stoma.
(C) The surgeon can connect the ureters to a pouch that collects urine and then connect it to the urethra. That way, urine can leave the body the same way it did before. (The pouch used in this procedure is basically a new bladder. Surgeons call it a "neobladder".)
These options are not possible in all people. Ask your doctor which options could work for you. Then work with him or her to choose the best approach for you.
Graphic 79286 Version 7.0
View Originalfigure 2How urine leaves the body after the bladder is removed
After removing a person's bladder, the surgeon must create a new way for urine to leave the body. There are 3 ways to do this:
(A) The surgeon can connect the ureters to a tube that drains through a hole on the surface of the skin. This is called a stoma. People who have a stoma must attach a bag around the outside of the stoma to collect urine.
(B) The surgeon can connect the ureters to a pouch that collects urine and then connect it to a stoma. People who have a pouch must drain the pouch every few hours by inserting a tube into the stoma.
(C) The surgeon can connect the ureters to a pouch that collects urine and then connect it to the urethra. That way, urine can leave the body the same way it did before. (The pouch used in this procedure is basically a new bladder. Surgeons call it a "neobladder".)
These options are not possible in all people. Ask your doctor which options could work for you. Then work with him or her to choose the best approach for you.
Graphic 79286 Version 7.0
View Original