Pronounced: sis-TEK-toh-mee
Reasons for a cystectomy include:
Complications occur in 25%-35% of patients undergoing cystectomy. If you are planning to have a cystectomy, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:
Previous surgery in the abdomen or pelvis or radiation to the area increase your risk of complications.
Doctors recommend that you quit smoking before surgery. You may also need to take antibiotics to prevent infection and laxatives to clean out the bowels.
The night before, you may be asked not to eat anything and only drink clear liquids. After midnight and on the morning of the procedure, do not eat or drink anything. This includes avoiding clear liquids, coffee, tea, and water.
Talk to your doctor about your medicines. You may be asked to stop taking some medicines up to one week before the procedure, like:
General anesthesia is given before surgery. You will be asleep.
An incision will be made in the abdomen to expose the bladder. All blood vessels to the bladder will be cut. The bladder will then be removed. Other tissues and organs may also need to be removed with the bladder.
The doctor will also need to create a new way for urine to be passed out of the body. A new bladder may be built using pieces of intestine, or an external bag may be attached to the abdomen.
About 1-5 hours
Anesthesia will prevent pain during the surgery. Recovery is usually painful. Your doctor will give you medicine to help manage the pain.
The usual length of stay is 5-12 days. The specific length will depend on your condition and the reason for surgery. Your doctor may also choose to keep you longer if complications arise.
When you return home, do the following to help ensure a smooth recovery:
After you leave the hospital, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:
In case of an emergency, CALL 911.
RESOURCES:
National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse
http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/
Urology Health.org
http://www.auafoundation.org/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Urological Association
http://www.cua.org/
Public Health Agency of Canada
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/
References:
Bladder cancer. AP John Institute for Cancer Research website. Available at: http://www.apjohncancerinstitute.org/cancer/bladder.htm. Accessed February 25, 2007.
Campbell M, Wein A, Kavoussi L. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders; 2007.
Maffezzini M, Campodonico F, Canepa G, Gerbi G, Parodi D. Current perioperative management of radical cystectomy with intestinal urinary reconstruction for muscle-invasive bladder cancer and reduction of the incidence of postoperative ileus. Surg Oncol. 2008;17(1):41-48.
Medical tests and procedures: radical cystectomy. Franciscan Medical Group website. Available at: https://www.fhshealth.org/medSurg_proced/cystectomy.asp. Accessed February 25, 2007.
Last reviewed November 2009 by Adrienne Carmack, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Copyright © 2007 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.