Spinal Cord Injury

 On January 26 2009 I underwent a procedure.  It was a major genitourinary reconstructive surgery: bladder augmentation with creation of 'monti' catheterizable stoma. basically they used part of my bowel to augment my bladder.  (It shrank to the size of a walnut as a result of having an indwelling catheter for so long.)  they then  used another part of my intestine to create a tiny conduit from the surface of my stomach to my bladder which I can run a catheter through.  Now instead of using a supra pubic I simply catheterize every three to four hours when needed.  I am a C4 quadriplegic and I'm able to do it on my own.  Sometimes when the bladder is full the catheter resists so it requires a little strength but I would certainly recommend to anybody who has trouble with infections or is simply tired of having one more thing attached your body to talk to your doctor and find out if it's right for you.  I have to admit though the surgery was no walk in the park.  Recovery sucked and the scar is big but when you got problems like we do who in hell cares about the scar.

 WOW! How nice of you to post this and inform others in the same situation of the procedure you underwent! It sounds like a wonderful idea to stop infections from catheters!!! I'm a RN who has worked in a larger Rehab for spinal cord injuries in the past, but this surgery was not available then. I'm always happy when I learn something new that I might pass onto someone else! I'm hoping to get to the point where I am working again and with vets who return from the war in Iraq or Afganistan or wherever who have bad scars that need 'releasing' or camouflaging. I do permanent makeup and scar camo....or will IF I can get back able to work. I also do the areola colorations for people who have breast reconstructions for breast cancer...women or men.  Nice to meet you and again it's nice of you to post about this surgery that apparently can save lives and keep you healthy!

 

 

 

redhotzz300zxlvr:

 WOW! How nice of you to post this and inform others in the same situation of the procedure you underwent! It sounds like a wonderful idea to stop infections from catheters!!! I'm a RN who has worked in a larger Rehab for spinal cord injuries in the past, but this surgery was not available then. I'm always happy when I learn something new that I might pass onto someone else! I'm hoping to get to the point where I am working again and with vets who return from the war in Iraq or Afganistan or wherever who have bad scars that need 'releasing' or camouflaging. I do permanent makeup and scar camo....or will IF I can get back able to work. I also do the areola colorations for people who have breast reconstructions for breast cancer...women or men.  Nice to meet you and again it's nice of you to post about this surgery that apparently can save lives and keep you healthy!

 

 

 

Actually the mitrofanoff which is the same procedure, can cause UTIs. Because of the surgery I will always have an infection. You just have to learn when to treat it. So, it doesn't stop the infections from happening as you suggested. Especially since usually a piece of the intestine is used to make the tube and stoma. Intestine produces mucus, mucus makes infection.

Summer

wow. thanks for sharing that info. quadfather. i have an indwelling catheter, i will check into this procedure.

 

stay strong 

Summer24:

Actually the mitrofanoff which is the same procedure, can cause UTIs. Because of the surgery I will always have an infection. You just have to learn when to treat it. So, it doesn't stop the infections from happening as you suggested. Especially since usually a piece of the intestine is used to make the tube and stoma. Intestine produces mucus, mucus makes infection.

Summer

I think it's important to clarify that there is no way to ever completely eliminate the risk of getting an infection. The Monti and the Mitrofanoff   however both go a long way in helping to reduce the number of infections you get.  before I had this procedure I had  severe and chronic infections.  Oral antibiotics no longer did the trick and I was always sweating, always cramping and in serious pain.  After a couple bouts with IV antibiotics I had this procedure done.  Since that time I have had only one bladder infection and was minor.  I don't believe it's accurate to say that this Causes UTIs.  It doesn't stop them either.  The simple fact that you no longer have an indwelling catheter for bacteria to fester on though significantly reduces your chances of getting infected.  Yes mucous can be a complication but the amount your new bladder creates dwindles over time and the real concern for that is an increased chance for development of stones anyways.  My only complaint really is that my surgeon did not place the stoma site where we had agreed on.  She ended up putting it much lower and to the right than we had planned.  Because of my limited mobility it's almost impossible to catheterize myself when I have a jacket on.  If she had put it on my belly button like we had agreed she would it would not have been a problem but she really screwed up there. if you were to have this procedure done I would strongly recommend you be very clear with your  doctor about what positioning will and will not work for you. Otherwise, you might  be unlucky like me and had to go through it all over again just to get the hole placed right. the idea for this procedure was brilliant unfortunately my surgeon was not.