What is a urostomy?

If the bladder or urinary system is damaged or diseased and your patient is unable to pass urine normally, there is a need for a urinary diversion. This is called a urostomy, an ileal conduit or a Bricker bladder.

An isolated part of the intestine is brought onto the surface of the right-hand side of the abdomen and the other end is sewn up. The ureters are detached from the bladder and reattached to the isolated section of the intestine. Because this section of the intestine is too small to function as a reservoir, and there is no muscle or valve to control urination, your patient will need a urostomy pouch to collect the urine.