Use of the appendix for urethral reconstruction in children with congenital anomalies of the bladder.

Abstract

The presence of the cecal appendix offers a unique opportunity for the achievement of urinary continence and stable access to the reconstructed urinary bladder. We have reviewed the cases of 17 children treated over a 56-month period whose urinary anomalies have required the construction of a neourethra. Fourteen of these patients underwent neourethral reconstruction by use of the appendix. All neourethras are easily catheterized, and all are continent. The ease of application of this reconstructive modality along with its high success rate makes incidental appendectomy contraindicated in children with congenital anomalies of the bladder.