Why is this procedure done?
The bladder is a balloon-like organ that holds urine. Sometimes, the bladder is too small to hold the urine. This may cause urine to leak. This surgery makes the bladder bigger. The doctor uses part of the bowel for this procedure. ‚
Bladder augmentation is done for different reasons. Some of them are: ‚
- Nerves of the bladder are damaged. This is a neurogenic bladder.
- Urine leaks out. This is incontinence.
- A person is born with a small bladder. This is congenital.
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What will the results be?
After surgery, the bladder will be large enough to hold more urine. Urinary problems may stop. ‚
What happens before the procedure?
- Your doctor will take your history. Talk to the doctor about:
- All the drugs you are taking. Be sure to include all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, and herbal supplements. Tell the doctor about any drug allergy. Bring a list of drugs you take with you.
- Any bleeding problems. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any drugs that may cause bleeding. Some of these are Coumadin, ibuprofen, Aleve (naproxen), or aspirin. Certain vitamins and herbs, such as garlic and fish oil, may also add to the risk for bleeding. You may need to stop these drugs as well. Talk to your doctor about them.
- Your doctor will do an exam and may order tests on your bladder and kidney function.
- The doctor may order a special diet for you before surgery. Sometimes, you are asked to eat a low fiber diet a few days before surgery. Other times, you may only have clear liquids. Talk to your doctor to find out what you should eat before surgery.
- You will not be allowed to drive right away after the procedure. Ask a family member or a friend to drive you home.
What happens during the procedure?
- Once you are in the operating room, the staff will put an I.V. in your arm to give you fluids and drugs. You will be given a drug to make you sleepy. It will also help you stay pain free during the surgery.
- When you are asleep, the doctors put a tube in your mouth to help you breathe. They also may put another small tube in your nose. This one goes down to your stomach to drain out any food or fluid that might come out during surgery. You will have a tube in your bladder to drain urine.
- Your doctor makes 3 to 4 small cuts in your belly. The doctor puts a scope with a tiny camera through one of the small cuts to look at the bladder. Your doctor will put small surgical tools into the holes to do the procedure. Gas is put in the belly so that the doctor can see inside the belly. The doctor cuts part of your bowel or stomach to use as a patch. The doctor will sew it into an opening made on the top part of your bladder to make it larger, using this patch.
- Your doctor sometimes makes a small hole through your belly linked to your bladder. This is called a urostomy. This helps so that the urine can keep draining after the surgery while your bladder heals.
- The procedure takes about 4 hours.
What happens after the procedure?
- You will go to the Recovery Room after surgery. The staff will take out your breathing tube when you are awake and strong enough to breathe. You may have a sore throat afterwards.
- Within a day or two, you will get out of bed to a chair. The staff will help you begin to walk around. Doing coughing and deep breathing exercises will help keep your lungs clear. You will get drugs through your I.V. or pain pills to help with your pain.
- The tube in your nose will stay in for a few days. This will keep your belly empty and give your stomach and bowels time to heal. The doctor will take the tube out when your belly is working well and you hear gurgling sounds. Then, you will slowly start eating again.
- If you have a urostomy, you will be taught how to use a catheter (urine tube) to drain your bladder.
- You may also be taught how to rinse out the inside of your bladder using a salt water solution and a catheter to clean out any mucus.
- You may stay at the hospital for 3 to 5 days. This is based on your healing period.
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Ask your doctor how much fluid you need to drink each day. You may need to drink more than you normally do to help clean out your bladder.
- Dont delay going to the bathroom. This may stretch the bladder and weaken it.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut site. Ask your doctor about:
- When you should change your bandages
- How to care for your cut sites
- When you may take a bath or shower
- If you need to be careful with lifting things over 10 pounds
- When you may return to normal activities like driving, work, or sex
- Be sure to wash your hands before and after touching your wound or dressing.
- If you have a tube in place to drain your urine, learn how to care for it. Ask if you need to rinse out your bladder.
- Ask a family member to help you around the house while you are still healing.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. You may need an x-ray of your bladder in 3 to 4 weeks. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Leaking of urine after the procedure or other urinary problems
Where can I learn more?
American Urological Association Foundation ‚
http://www.urologyhealth.org/urology/index.cfm?article=56 ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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