Cutaneous Ureterostomy or Ileal Conduit Urinary Diversion: Can We Spare the Bowel Following Radical Cystectomy in Patients with Solitary Functioning Kidney?

To compare the outcomes between cutaneous ureterostomy and ileal conduit urinary diversion in patients with solitary functioning kidney, undergoing radical cystectomy. This study was a retrospective analysis of the patients, with solitary functioning kidney, who underwent radical cystectomy with either cutaneous ureterostomy or ileal conduit from January 2014 to May 2019. Baseline characteristics, perioperative outcomes, and follow-up renal function were evaluated and compared. For renal function outcomes, we assessed the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and included patients with a follow-up of at least 2 years. A total of 43 patients were included in the study, 23 of them underwent cutaneous ureterostomy and 20 underwent ileal conduit urinary diversion. The two groups were similar with respect to their baseline demographic and clinical characteristics. Operative time (p < 0.001), time to drain removal (p = 0.016), postoperative length of hospital stay (p = 0.018), and bowel-related complications (p = 0.047) were significantly lower in patients who underwent cutaneous ureterostomy. The eGFR was comparable at baseline, and till 1 year of follow-up. But, there was a greater decline in eGFR over 2 years, in patients who received cutaneous ureterostomy (p = 0.039). The present study shows that cutaneous ureterostomy has better perioperative, and comparable short-term renal function outcomes over ileal conduit urinary diversion. However, over 2 years of follow-up, there was an increased likelihood, and greater degree of decline in eGFR in patients who received cutaneous ureterostomy.