If you are unable to pass urine, you may need to undergo a urinary diversion.
The ability to pass urine out of your body is a crucial function for overall good health. When your body cannot expel urine as normal, you could suffer significant damages to your health. A buildup of waste in your system can be dangerous.
- A urinary diversion is a surgery that involves creating a new way for urine to be diverted out of the body. Normally, urine flows out of the body from the kidney and bladder through the ureters and urethra.
- When one of these organs is injured or impacted by an illness, they no longer can do their part to expel urine out of your system.
How it’s Done
In this instance, your surgeon will need to create a new way for urine to leave your body. The operation may involve removing part or all of the bladder and replacing it with a neo-bladder, or bladder that is created from your own or donated tissue.
It also may involve routing the tube through which urine passes through a stoma or hole in the side of your body. The stoma is covered by a pouch that collects the urine. The entire surgery from start to finish lasts about three to four hours.
Reasons for Urinary Diversion Surgery
Urinary diversion surgery may be necessary for patients who suffer from congenital defects or injuries to the bladder, urethra, kidneys, and ureters. Likewise, people who have bladder cancer often must undergo this surgery.
Other reasons for urinary diversion may include:
- Spinal injuries
- Damages to the nerves that control urinating
- Chronic bladder inflammation
- Kidney, bladder, or urethra stones
A urinary diversion overcomes the blockages and pain caused by these conditions and allows urine to pass out of the body.
Recovering from Urinary Diversion Surgery
After the surgery, you may be given extensive post-operative instructions that you must follow carefully at home. Your doctor may put you on a soft or liquid diet for up to 10 days, for example, to prevent injury and minimize pain while using the restroom. You also may be given prescription pain relievers that you can take for the first few days of your recovery. Your doctor may advise you to avoid activities like heavy lifting and aerobic exercises. Your total recovery time can last up for four weeks
Urinary diversion surgery allows urine to be expelled from the body. This surgery may be performed because of conditions like cancer, stones, and injuries or defects.
