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Bladder Augmentation—Open Surgery

Authors:
  • Cynthia M. Johnson, MA
Publication Type:

Procedure

Bladder Augmentation—Open Surgery

(Augmentation Cystoplasty—Open Surgery)

Definition

Bladder augmentation is surgery to make the bladder large enough to collect urine.

The Urinary Tract.

Copyright © 2002 Nucleus Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Reasons for Procedure

This surgery is done to treat problems such as:

  • A bladder that is too small—due to a blockage, birth defect, or other problem
  • Overactive bladder—muscle problems that cause urine to leak
  • Neurogenic bladder—nerve problems in the bladder that cause urine to leak or not exit the body

Possible Complications

Problems are rare, but all procedures have some risk. The doctor will go over some problems that could happen, such as:

  • Excess bleeding
  • Problems from anesthesia
  • Infection
  • Blood clots
  • Bladder rupture
  • Not being able to hold urine
  • Kidney stones

Things that may raise the risk of problems are:

  • Smoking
  • Drinking excess alcohol
  • Chronic diseases, such as diabetes or obesity

What to Expect

Problems to Look Out For

Call the doctor if you are not getting better or you have:

  • Signs of infection, such as fever or chills
  • Redness, swelling, excess bleeding, or discharge from the wound
  • Pain that you cannot control with medicine
  • Problems urinating or urine that is cloudy or smells bad
  • New or worsening symptoms

If you think you have an emergency, call for medical help right away.

RESOURCES:

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

References

  • Bladder augmentation. Boston Children’s Hospital website. Available at: https://www.childrenshospital.org/treatments/bladder-augmentation.
  • Bladder augmentation (enlargement). Urology Care Foundation website. Available at: http://www.urologyhealth.org/urologic-conditions/bladder-augmentation-(enlargement).
  • Bladder augmentation surgery FAQ. UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital website. Available at: https://www.ucsfbenioffchildrens.org/education/bladder-augmentation-surgery-faq.
  • Jaggi, A and Fatoye, F. Real world treatment patterns in the neurogenic bladder population: a systematic literature review. Transl Androl Urol. 2017 Dec; 6(6): 1175–1183.
  • Neurogenic bladder. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/neurogenic-bladder.

Contributors

  • Mark S. Itzkowitz, MD, JD
Last Updated:
2022-09-01

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This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.