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Urology (Expert Forum)
problems after surgery to rebuild bladder
Questions in the Urology forum are answered by Dr. Stephen Liroff, affiliated with the Henry Ford Hospital. Topics covered include benign prostate disease, penis curvature, cystisis, kidney stones, pediatric urology, prostate, sexual dysfunction, urinary tract infections (UTI), and urological cancers.
problems after surgery to rebuild bladder
by Wayne, Nov 15, 1999 12:00AM
i had my bladder rebuilt using part of my large intestine. unfortunately i have had constant problems since then. the original problem was my bladder losing size due to some unknown reason. i was tried on various meds but none helped after the initial period of using them. my bladder had shut down to a 75ml storage function. since the surgery i have had constant problems with infections and have to catherize twice daily. when i catherize i lose small amounts of blood into the tube. i also lose slime which the doctor says is mucous from the intestinal walls. i have constant problems with pain in my stomach area and have to push to urinate. another problem i have is i am an infantryman in the military and see no way to possibly catherize in a field environment. we dont even get soap and water to wash ours hands before meals much less a catheter. i was given iodine pads and told that cleaning the exterior of the tube would suffice but i feel that the urine and infectuous material in the tube and the syringe will cause further infections. any information will be helpful and your advice and opinions greatly appreciated. sincerely yours, wayne
Doctor's Answer
by hfhs M.D.-AK, Nov 15, 1999 12:00AM
Dear Wayne,
You had what was called a bladder augmentation. Mucous from an intestinal augment is common, and irrigation is often encouraged. This will help prevent obstruction of the outflow, and facilitate emptying of the bladder. Sometimes a full bladder, can cause a lot of pain. As you stated, you must push on you abdomen to urinate, this is a result of the inability of your bladder to increase its pressure sufficient to eliminate the urine. This inability to increase bladder pressure often doesn’t allow for complete emptying of the bladder. If the bladder is not consistently drained to completion, there is a greater chance for infection. In regards to the catheter being washed by iodine. I think this is a reasonable option as long as you do not have any allergy or reaction to the repeated iodine exposure. The bladder of those who need intermittent catheterization is always colonized. This means than certain bacteria are always in the urine. As long as they do not cause a clinical infection. This is not a tremendous problem. Although, what you higher ups are telling you to do sounds barbaric, I think it is acceptable. You should only treat those infections that are symptomatic, but it is important for you to catheterize yourself several times a day to completion. If you continue to get unexplained infections, then this cleaning method may be called under question. For now, I would take the advice of your superiors, consult your urologist for further questions, and make sure you empty your bladder to completion when catheterizing.
This information is provided for general medical educational purposes only. Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options pertaining to your specific medical condition. More individualized care is available at the Henry Ford Hospital and its satellites (1 800 653-6568).
Sincerely,
HFHS M.D.-AK
*keyword:Bladder Augmentation
You had what was called a bladder augmentation. Mucous from an intestinal augment is common, and irrigation is often encouraged. This will help prevent obstruction of the outflow, and facilitate emptying of the bladder. Sometimes a full bladder, can cause a lot of pain. As you stated, you must push on you abdomen to urinate, this is a result of the inability of your bladder to increase its pressure sufficient to eliminate the urine. This inability to increase bladder pressure often doesn’t allow for complete emptying of the bladder. If the bladder is not consistently drained to completion, there is a greater chance for infection. In regards to the catheter being washed by iodine. I think this is a reasonable option as long as you do not have any allergy or reaction to the repeated iodine exposure. The bladder of those who need intermittent catheterization is always colonized. This means than certain bacteria are always in the urine. As long as they do not cause a clinical infection. This is not a tremendous problem. Although, what you higher ups are telling you to do sounds barbaric, I think it is acceptable. You should only treat those infections that are symptomatic, but it is important for you to catheterize yourself several times a day to completion. If you continue to get unexplained infections, then this cleaning method may be called under question. For now, I would take the advice of your superiors, consult your urologist for further questions, and make sure you empty your bladder to completion when catheterizing.
This information is provided for general medical educational purposes only. Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options pertaining to your specific medical condition. More individualized care is available at the Henry Ford Hospital and its satellites (1 800 653-6568).
Sincerely,
HFHS M.D.-AK
*keyword:Bladder Augmentation