Objective: To retrospectively review the outcome of appendix, transverse tubularized intestine segments, caecal flap, gastric tube and others tissue options used as a continent stoma for urinary and fecal incontinence.
Patients and methods: Between January 1993 and January 2003 we created 179 continent stomas to treat urinary and fecal incontinence in 135 patients (81 females and 54 males; mean age at surgery 13 years, 118, 87%, aged <17 years). We used either appendix (112), a short segment of bowel following the Yang-Monti technique (49), gastric augment single pedicle tube (eight), caecal flap (seven), Casale continent vesicostomy (two) and Meckel's diverticulum (one). Thirty-six patients had both urinary and fecal continent stomas created.
Results: The mean follow-up for the appendix group was 46 months for the urinary stoma and 23 months for the Malone antegrade continent enema (MACE) stoma. Stoma-related complications occurred in 24 of 112 (21%) patients; there was complete channel fibrosis in five (4%). The mean follow-up for the Yang-Monti group was 38 months for the urinary and 59.2 months for the MACE stoma. There were stoma-related problems in 11 of 49 (22%) patients, with complete channel fibrosis in three (6%). Overall, in the long-term follow-up, there were stoma-related complications in 42 of 179 (23.5%) procedures.
Conclusions: Continent catheterizable stomas are a feasible and reliable method for treating urinary and fecal incontinence. Long-term success can be accomplished with appendix, transverse tubularized intestinal segments and caecal flaps, with similar complication rates in all groups. Surgeon preference and individual patient status should determine the surgical technique to be used.