Catheterisable continent urinary diversion (Mitrofanoff principle)--clinical experience and psychological aspects.

48 Mitrofanoff principles (MTR) were performed on 46 patients (male : female ratio, 30 : 16) with a mean age of 9.1 years (range 2.5 to 24 years). The primary diagnoses were neurogenic bladder in 11, infravesical obstruction in 7 and bladder exstrophy-epispadias complex in 28 patients. The most common type of conduit was appendix (38 cases); other conduits were constructed from the ileum (seven) and ileocaecum (one). In two cases with bladder substitution the uterine tube and tubularised bladder stump were used as perineal MTR. 33 of the 46 children underwent augmentation cystoplasty in conjunction with the MTR procedure. The Malone procedure for antegrade colonic enema (ACE) was performed at the same stage with MTR in eight cases. To achieve continence, bladder neck reconstruction was performed in 32 patients and the bladder neck was closed in four patients during the same operation and MTR procedure. The mean follow-up period was 28.7 months (range one month to 57 months). To assess the psychological aspects of the MTR procedure, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scales were completed by 12 children older than eight years of age. Nine patients had problems with the MTR (19.5 %). Three appendiceal MTR had strictures at the skin level, 2 of which needed minor surgical revisions. A mucocele formation at the skin level of an appendix was removed successfully. We did not observe any complaints among the other appendiceal conduits. All the tapered ileum conduits were difficult to catheterise, and 1 of them had a leakage from the stoma. None of the three transversely tubularised ileum MTRs had problems with catheterisation or leakage. A stricture of the conduit from the uterine tube was observed. 36 of the 42 patients are now continent, giving a ratio of 86 %. The results of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scales revealed that there was an increase in the percentage of patients with high self-esteem, and a decrease in depressive feelings after the MTR procedure. We conclude that the MTR procedure provides excellent continence, offers good prospects of a socially acceptable life with increased self-esteem, and the appendix seems to be the ideal organ for continent urinary diversion, with the transverse tubularised ileal tube as a second choice.

[Life after urostomy. A retrospective study]. / Leben nach einer Urostomie-Operation. Eine retrospektive Untersuchung.

The study reported, which was based on a questionnaire and psychological tests, examined cystostomy patients with respect to the work-up and acceptance of their altered body. It was noted that 30% of the patients judged their situation as good, and 25% could accept the cystostomy, but a great many has to live with sexual disturbances, reduced social mobility, increased dependence, and psychic consequences; some had to give up their jobs. Sex, earlier psychosomatic diseases, developmental disorders in early childhood, which influence the personality, significantly affect the acceptance of the stoma. The problems are discussed. Suggestions are made, which include a plan for a holistic therapy.

Reduction of generalized aversive responding in a post-treatment cancer patient: relaxation as an active coping skill.

A male ostomy patient was successfully taught relaxation as an active coping skill to control generalized aversive gastric upset responses which had originally developed in the context of radiation therapy. Because the patient had completed his medical regimen, intervention focused on applied relaxation outside the medical center setting. Treatment involved minimal therapist contact. The results are discussed in terms of assessing aversive side effects which generalize beyond the course of medical treatment, and the contingent aspects of such treatments. The efficiency of relaxation programs, as well as the importance of active patient involvement, are also discussed.