Outcomes of Uretero-ileal Anastomosis in Bladder Cancer Cystectomies: Bricker vs. Wallace 1

Background The two commonly used methods for uretero-ileal anastomosis (UIA) during radical cystectomy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) are the Bricker and Wallace 1 techniques. Published data on the incidence of strictures at anastomotic sites is limited. This study compares both anastomotic techniques in terms of uretero-ileal stricture (UIS) rates and the factors that govern it in the patient group. Material and methods Records of all patients presenting with bladder cancer who underwent radical cystectomy at the department of uro-oncology, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (SKMCH&RC) Lahore, Pakistan, from January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2018, were reviewed retrospectively, and all adult patients aged >18 years out of them were selected for the study. Results With a total of 116 patients, the mean age was 54.37 ± 11.16 and a male majority (83.6%). Urinary diversion using ileal conduit was performed in 70 (60.3%) patients and the rest of them i.e. 46 (39.7%) had neobladder formation. Amongst them, uretero-ileal anastomosis was constructed via Bricker and Wallace 1 in 73 (62.9%) patients and 43 (37.1%) patients respectively. Pelvic radiotherapy was received by 13 (11.2%) patients. Anastomotic stricture developed in 19 (16.4%) cases. A relatively similar proportion of stricture rate was found in Bricker and Wallace 1 technique (10% vs 13%). Body mass index (BMI) was found to be significantly higher in patients who developed UIS. Incidence of stricture formation was more on the left than right side i.e. 12 (63.2%) vs five (26.3%) while two (10.5%) patients developed bilateral strictures. Conclusion No significant difference in stricture formation was noted between Bricker and Wallace 1 technique. High BMI and anastomotic leaks were the contributory factors for this complication during our experience.