RESUMEN
To assess the post-operative morbidity after ileal conduit diversion at our institution. The records of 84 patients with a mean age of 62.1 [range 22 -89] years who underwent ileal conduit diversion at our institution between 1992 and 2002 were reviewed and all post-operative complications occurring later than 3 months after the intervention were analyzed. Overall, 242 ileal conduit-related complications [71 major and 171 minor] developed in 72 of 84 patients [85.7%]. The mean and median follow-up were 38.6 and 24 months, respectively [range 3 to 108 months]. A total of 38 surgical procedures/interventions were needed in 33 patients [39.3%]. 62/72 patients [86.1%] developed complications within the first 5 years. 32 stoma-related complications were recorded in 22/84 [26.2%] patients. Fifty-nine percent [n = 42] of the major complications occurred in the 30 patients who had been subjected to diversion for non-malignant indications and had a longer mean follow-up [4.5 years] than the 54 patients who had been operated for malignancy [mean follow-up 2.5 years]. Patients with benign disease fared better in survival as expected, but the longer they survived, the higher was the incidence of complications and the reintervention rate. In view of the high complication rate, especially in patients with a long life expectancy and benign conditions, objective guidelines regarding the choice of urinary diversion will help surgeons in decision making, patient selection and counseling