Urinary Diversion Q&As

November 2010

These Q&As are provided by three BCAN volunteers, Nancy Parrish, Karen Godfrey and Michael Jones, each of whom has had radical cystectomy surgery (to remove the bladder) and urinary reconstruction. These survivors describe day to day life with each of the three main types of urinary reconstruction– the Ileal Conduit, the Continent Cutaneous Pouch (also known as the Indiana Pouch) and the Neobladder.

Ileal Conduit

An ileal conduit is a system of urinary drainage where a short segment of the small intestine is used to drain urine to an opening (or stoma) at the surface of the abdomen. The urine is stored in a collecting pouch known as an ostomy bag. This is worn outside the body around the stoma 24 hours a day.

Read some practical questions & answers from Nancy, a bladder cancer survivor with an Ileal Conduit.

The Continent Cutaneous Pouch (CCP) or Indiana Pouch

A CCP or Indiana Pouch is an internal system of urinary storage which a surgeon creates using the small and large intestines after surgical removal of the bladder. This pouch, (or reservoir) which is connected to the skin by a small stoma, is drained periodically by inserting a thin tube or catheter into the stoma. After the pouch is emptied the catheter is removed. No external bag is needed.

Read some practical questions & answers from Karen, a bladder cancer survivor living with a CCP.

Neobladder

An orthotopic neobladder is an internal urinary diversion in which a segment of the small intestine is used to form a new (neo) reservoir for urine. The ureters are attached to the neobladder, as is the urethra, allowing voiding to be done via the natural course.

Read some practical questions and answers from Michael, a bladder cancer survivor living with a neobladder.