Stent-free rates in cutaneous ureterostomy urinary diversion after radical cystectomy.

Abstract

Cutaneous ureterostomy (CU) urinary diversion after radical cystectomy has been relegated to highly comorbid patients due to presumed rates of stenosis and drainage tube dependence. Rates of stricture as high as 70% have been reported. Though a variety of techniques have been developed to obviate the need for prolonged stenting, CU remains uncommonly performed. Herein, we present our experience with CU diversion after radical cystectomy and stent-free rates post-operatively. We retrospectively reviewed the records of consecutive patients undergoing radical cystectomy with single-stoma cutaneous ureterostomy from June 2020 to December 2022 at our institution. Demographic and clinical data were summarized. We recorded the presence of ureteral stent, nephrostomy, or nephroureteral catheter at the last follow-up. The primary outcome was "stent-free survival" incorporating all modalities of tube-dependent urinary drainage. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to determine stent-free survival at 12months. We identified 28 patients meeting inclusion criteria with median age of 73years (IQR: 66-78) and median body mass index of 25 (IQR: 22-28). Of patients that underwent stent-free trial (N=23), thestent-free survival at 12months was 74%. Five of 28 patients had continued tube dependence due to locally advanced disease with hydronephrosis rather than CU stenosis. These results suggest thatsingle-stoma CU should be considereda viable option for patients undergoing radical cystectomy. Longer follow-up is needed to assess durability of stent-free rates.