Large orthotopic reservoir stone burden: Role of open surgery

PURPOSE: To present our experience in open poucholithotomy as a primary management of large orthotopic reservoir stone burden and discuss different management options. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Records of men underwent radical cystectomy and orthotopic urinary diversion were retrospectively reviewed as regards pouch stone formation. Patients with large reservoir stone burden managed by open poucholithotomy were further selected. RESULTS: Large reservoir stone burden was encountered in 12 post radical cystectomy men. All underwent open poucholithotomy as a primary management of their reservoir stones. Median age at cystectomy was 46 (range: 32-55) years with a median total follow up period of 214.15 (range: 147-257) months and a median interval to stone detection of 99 (range: 63-132) months. The median stone burden was 5260 (range: 3179-20410) mm(2). All patients were continent during the day while 5 showed nocturnal enuresis; 2 of them became continent after removal of the stones. Post poucholithotomy, all patients had sterile urine cultures except one who showed occasional colonization. None of the 12 patients showed stone recurrence after poucholithotomy. Two patients underwent revision of a dessuscepted nipple valve in association with stone removal. CONCLUSIONS: Open poucholithotomy for large reservoir stone burden is a feasible and safe option. It saves the reservoir mesentery and adjacent bowel. It allows complete removal of the stone(s) leaving no residual fragments. Furthermore, it permits correction of concomitant reservoir abnormalities.