The Wellington Hospital
8A Wellington Place NW8 9LE London
Urinary diversion
REROUTING URINE FLOW
A surgical procedure that reroutes the normal flow of urine out of the body
About managing urinary flow
When your bladder is removed during a radical cystectomy, an alternative way of passing urine out of your kidneys needs to be found.
There are a number of treatments available. In some cases you may be able to make a choice based on your personal preference, and the support of your consultant.
There are a number of treatments available. In some cases you may be able to make a choice based on your personal preference, and the support of your consultant.
Urostomy
A small hole will be made on one side of your abdominal wall, which will be the site of the stoma. A section of your small bowel is detached with its blood supply, connected to the ureters at one end and forms the stoma at the other. A pouch is connected to the stoma to collect urine.
Continent urinary diversion
A section of your bowel will be used to create an internal pouch to store urine. You'll be able to empty the pouch by inserting a catheter into the continent which drains away urine.
Bladder reconstruction
A section of your bowel will be formed into a bladder-like sac, before being connected to the urethra at one end and ureters at the other. This is called a neobladder.
Urinary diversion is a major type of abdominal surgery. You will need to undergo bowel preparation with special laxatives and enemas, which will be explained to you beforehand. You will be admitted at least one day before surgery.
Your consultant will tell you how best to prepare and how long you'll be cared for by us in hospital. Like all procedures, there may be some risks and side effects involved. Your consultant will explain these to you.
Your consultant will tell you how best to prepare and how long you'll be cared for by us in hospital. Like all procedures, there may be some risks and side effects involved. Your consultant will explain these to you.
After urinary diversion surgery it can take up to three months to recover. Your consultant will let you know when you can expect to get back to your usual routine, including exercise and work.
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 Urinary diversion locations
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
The Shard Outpatients
The Shard, 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.