Laparoscopic Bladder Augmentation and Creation of Continent-Catheterizable Stomas in the Pediatric Patient

The need for creation of a suitable urinary reservoir that provides a socially acceptable degree of both continence and independence arises in a wide variety of conditions in children. These conditions include spina bifida, posterior urethral valves, bladder exstrophy, and severe dysfunctional voiding. Augmentation cystoplasty with bowel segments along with the creation of a continent-catheterizable stoma is a well-described procedure that results in reducing the storage pressure of the native bladder and increasing the overall capacity to store urine while maintaining continence. Bladder augmentation is considered only after conservative medical management with anticholinergic medications and intermittent catheterization fails.