Long-term complications of urinary diversion

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Radical cystectomy and urinary diversion remains the cornerstone in surgical management of patients with muscle-invasive or high-risk nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer. This approach has been associated with remarkable increase in patient survival and more patients are now living for years after surgery who may present with long-term complications. This review describes long-term complications associated with urinary diversion including renal function deterioration, voiding dysfunction, stoma and bowel-related complications, ureteroenteric stricture, metabolic disorders, and infectious complications. RECENT FINDINGS: The overall complication rate reported in recent large studies assessing long-term complications of urinary diversion is as high as 60%. Stoma-related complications followed by urinary tract infections are among the most common complications. Some of these complications may occur years after surgery; therefore, long-term follow-up of patients with urinary diversion is of utmost importance. SUMMARY: Long-term regular follow-up is imperative in patients with urinary diversion as nonfatal complications may occur years after surgery.