Bladder Augmentation Surgery

When is it needed?

Bladder augmentation surgery is recommended for individuals who experience:

• Severe bladder dysfunction or incontinence that doesn’t respond to other treatments
• Neurogenic bladder caused by spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, or spina bifida
• Bladder contractures or bladder outlet obstruction that limits bladder capacity
• Bladder problems due to conditions like bladder exstrophy or interstitial cystitis

Procedure Overview:

• The surgeon makes an incision in the abdomen to access the bladder.
• A section of the intestine (or another tissue) is harvested and attached to the bladder to increase its size.
• In some cases, the bladder is also repositioned to improve its function.

Recovery:

• Hospital Stay: Patients usually stay in the hospital for 4-7 days after the procedure.
• Pain Management: Mild to moderate pain is common and is managed with medications.
• Catheter Use: A urinary catheter will be placed temporarily to help drain the bladder while it heals.
• Full Recovery: Complete recovery may take 4-6 weeks, but patients can return to normal activities gradually. Physical activity and heavy lifting should be avoided during recovery.

Regular follow-up visits are necessary to monitor the bladder’s function and ensure there are no complications.