Bladder Augmentation Surgery is a procedure used to increase the size and capacity of a person’s bladder, typically in cases where the bladder is unable to hold an adequate amount of urine due to injury, disease, or congenital conditions. During the surgery, a portion of the patient’s intestine or other tissue is used to enlarge the bladder.
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.
