Bladder augmentation

CLAM CYSTOPLASTY


A major operation to make the bladder larger to treat an overactive bladder and incontinence

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What is a bladder augmentation?

This is a major operation to make the bladder bigger if it isn't working normally.

It involves cutting open the bladder and sewing a patch of intestine (or bowel) between the two halves.

This increases the capacity of the bladder and can help relieve symptoms of an overactive bladder and urgency.

Need to know

This surgery usually is carried out under general anaesthetic. Your surgeon will make a cut on your lower abdomen, below the bikini line. They will open the bladder across the top to form two halves. It will still be joined at the bottom end (the bladder neck) and look like an open clam, which is where it gets its surgical name from.

Your surgeon will then stitch a patch into the bladder to increase capacity. This can be made of small intestine (ileocystoplasty), large intestine (sigmoid cystoplasty) or stomach lining (gastro cystoplasty).

This is a major type of abdominal surgery so you will need to go through bowel preparation with special laxatives and enemas. This will be explained to you beforehand but it means you will have to be admitted to hospital at least a day before your surgery. Like all procedures, there may be some risks and side effects involved. Your consultant will explain these to you and answer any questions you may have.

You will be cared for in hospital for around 10 days following the operation. You will have a catheter for seven to 10 days to keep the bladder empty while it heals.

Full recovery can take three to four months. Your consultant will let you know what to expect.

Hospital stay and procedure

Paying for medical treatment

You don't need medical insurance to have fast access to our top consultants, extensive range of treatments, diagnostic tests and surgical procedures at our world-class facilities.

Our {{EntityName}} consultants

Mr Rajesh Nair

Mr Rajesh Nair

Urology

Mr Nicholas Faure Walker

Mr Nicholas Faure Walker

Urology

Mr Christopher Ogden

Mr Christopher Ogden

Urology

Mr Michael Dinneen

Mr Michael Dinneen

Urology

Our {{EntityName}} locations

The Princess Grace Hospital

The Princess Grace Hospital

42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
The Lister Hospital

The Lister Hospital

Chelsea Bridge Road, SW1W 8RH London
The Shard Outpatients

The Shard Outpatients

The Shard, 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
London Bridge Hospital

London Bridge Hospital

27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Wellington Hospital

The Wellington Hospital

8A Wellington Place NW8 9LE London

Patient stories

This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.