Index
It is the general term for the surgical creation of an opening in the bladder.
It may be a planned component of urologic surgery or an iatrogenic onset. However, the term is often used more strictly to refer to suprapubic cystostomy or suprapubic catheterization.
In an environment where an individual can not empty his bladder correctly and urethral catheterization is undesirable or impossible, suprapubic cystostomy offers an effective alternative.
Cystostomy for suprapubic catheterization can be done in 2 ways:
- Through an open approach, in which a small infraumbilical incision is made above the symphysis pubis
- Through a percutaneous approach, in which the catheter is inserted directly through the abdominal wall, above the symphysis pubis, with or without ultrasound guidance or visualization through flexible cystoscopy
This article focuses on the percutaneous approach because this method can potentially be performed in outpatient, bedside, or urgent care settings.
Relevant anatomy of the cystostomy
The adult bladder is located in the anterior pelvis and is surrounded by extraperitoneal fat and connective tissue. It is separated from the pubic symphysis by an anterior perivesical space known as the retropubic space (Retzius).
The peritoneum covers the bladder’s dome, and the bladder’s neck is fixed to the neighboring structures by the reflexes of the pelvic fascia and by the proper ligaments of the pelvis.
The bladder body receives support from the external urethral sphincter muscle, the inferior perineal membrane, and the internal obturator muscles laterally.
Indications
There are at least four situations in which suprapubic cystostomy is considered:
- Acute urinary retention in which a urethral catheter can not be passed (for example, due to prostatic enlargement secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia or prostatitis, urethral stenosis or false passages, or contractures of the bladder neck secondary to previous surgery).
- Urethral trauma.
- Management of a complicated infection of the lower genitourinary tract
- Acute urinary retention without urethral catheterization.
Several steps are suggested for a patient who is challenging to catheterize transurethrally before performing a suprapubic cystostomy.
Algorithm to handle patients difficult to catheterize
Failure to pass a urethral catheter may result from a false passage created by multiple attempts at urethral catheterization or urethral stricture.
A suprapubic cystostomy is reasonable after a reasonable catheterization attempt, including using a coudé catheter, and if a urologist is not available for flexible cystoscopy with possible catheter placement on a wire.
Urethral trauma
In urethral trauma, a functional bypass of the urethra may be required due to the possibility of urethral disruption. Urethral rupture is usually associated with pelvic fractures or saddle-type lesions. It should be suspected when observing the triad of blood in the urethral meatus, inability to urinate, and palpably distended bladder.
The urethral injury must be addressed by a urologist; however, a suprapubic cystostomy can be a valuable measure for emergency bladder drainage.
Complicated lower genitourinary infection
In a complicated infection of the lower genitourinary tract with associated urinary retention (e.g., acute bacterial prostatitis), bladder drainage with suprapubic cystostomy should be considered.
Another indication of the suprapubic catheter placement is Fournier’s gangrene, which often requires multiple procedures of genitourinary debridement and, potentially, skin grafts.
If a urethral catheter prevents wound care and surgical treatment of this complicated and dangerous disease, consider a suprapubic cystostomy to divert urine from these surgical sites.
Long-term urinary diversion
Suprapubic catheterization can also be an option for patients requiring long-term urinary diversion. The British Association of Urologic Surgeons issued practice guidelines suggesting that physicians consider whether a suprapubic catheter is preferable to a urethral catheter for patients requiring a long-term permanent catheter.
A suprapubic catheter may be considered in patients with neurogenic bladder secondary to spinal cord injuries, stroke, multiple sclerosis, neuropathy, or detrusor sphincter dyssynergia who can not evacuate and who are unable or unwilling to perform a clean intermittent catheterization.
Patients who undergo phallic reconstruction or fistula repair may also require a longer-term urinary diversion.
In a retrospective study that included more than ten years of follow-up data from 179 predominantly male patients with spinal cord injuries, similar rates of urinary tract infections, kidney and bladder stones, and preservation of renal function were reported in those treated with urethral catheters and those managed with suprapubic catheters.
In this study, urethral strictures, urethral fistulas, and scrotal abscesses were found only in the urethral catheter group; 3 patients had urethral stenosis, and three patients had urethral-cutaneous fistulas changed to suprapubic catheters as a result of these complications.
Specific catheter complications included erosion associated with urethral catheters and leaks around the suprapubic catheter site and the urethra.
Contraindications of a cystostomy
Percutaneous suprapubic cystostomy is contraindicated in the following circumstances:
- When the bladder is not distended, it can not be easily felt or can not be located with ultrasound help
- When the patient has a history of bladder cancer
Relative contraindications include the following:
- Coagulopatía
- Previous surgery of the lower abdomen or pelvic (due to the possibility of adhesions between the intestine and the bladder)
- Pelvic cancer, with or without a history of irradiation (due to the case of adhesions)
- Placement of orthopedic fittings to repair pelvic fractures; Although some reports suggest that the suprapubic tubes that lead to the hardware infection are a relatively rare complication, you should consult with the orthopedist before performing the suprapubic catheterization in patients with iron fittings.
- Suppose percutaneous placement is contraindicated and an open surgical approach for suprapubic cystostomy is necessary to provide adequate dissection through adhesions, avoid intestinal injury and achieve effective hemostasis. This should probably be done by a general surgeon or a urologist in an environment surgical.
Technical considerations
Two key issues should be considered when considering the placement of a suprapubic cystostomy:
The first problem is whether the patient’s bladder can be drained sufficiently well with a urethral catheter. If this is the case, urethral catheterization may be a more appropriate option because it is often easier.
It is also associated with less morbidity in the short term, especially in women and men who develop acute urinary retention and can recover the ability to cancel with immediate medical treatment. (For example, alpha-blocker therapy).
On the other hand, suprapubic cystostomy may be preferable to urethral catheterization when the catheter is necessary for the long-term treatment of the bladder, as in patients with neurogenic bladder. For example, male patients with suprapubic cystostomies have a decreased incidence of traumatic hypospadias and a reduced risk of urinary tract infection, prostatitis, urethritis, and epididymitis.
Male patients also retain sexual function. Female patients have a lower incidence of urinary tract infection and can prevent the development of a patulous urethra.
If the procedure can be planned, referring the patient to a urologist for an informed discussion of the elective courses may be best. A suprapubic cystostomy is a viable option in those emergent situations where the patient can not empty his bladder, and a urethral catheter can not be placed.
The second problem is to select the method that will be used to place the suprapubic cystostomy. An open approach or a percutaneous approach to suprapubic catheterization can be taken. Most people with training in general surgery or urology find that the available procedure is simple.
Most other doctors prefer a percutaneously placed suprapubic cystostomy, which five different methods can do. Unfortunately, the percutaneous option is not always a safe possibility.
Prevention of complications
Regardless of how a suprapubic cystostomy is placed, it is always advisable to dilate the bladder during the location of the surgical site. This gives the doctor the best chance to find the bladder quickly and avoid bowel injuries.
In urgent circumstances, when the urethra can not be cannulated and the bladder should be decomposed, the bladder is likely already distended with urine. This can be seen in the physical examination.
Otherwise, if the urethra can be cannulated with a Foley catheter or a flexible cystoscope, the bladder can be distended with normal saline. To prevent gram-negative bacteremia, an appropriate intravenous gram-negative antibiotic should be administered before instrumentation of the genitourinary tract.
Results
Lavelle et al.’s study indicated that suprapubic catheterization improves the urological quality of life in patients with neurogenic bladder.
