Neobladder

A neobladder is one of the three main types of permanent urinary diversion that is surgically created to allow the body to eliminate urine. ^{[1] [2]} Although there are other situations when a neobladder might be used, they are most commonly found in patients who have had their urinary bladders removed as a result of bladder cancer. ^[3] The neobladder is created using a section of the patient's small intestine and connected to their ureters and urethra. ^{[4] [5] [6]} This particular type of urinary diversion results in a continent reservoir, with urine collected, stored, and emptied in the usual place and via the usual processes, albeit with a newly-created organ lacking the original musculature. ^[7]

Formation

There are various approaches to surgically creating a neobladder, ^{[8] [9] [10] [11]} but most involve isolating part of the ileum and then cutting, folding, and forming it into a sphere. The patients ureters and urethra are then connected to this new organ.

Advantages

Urine is collected from the ureters and stored internally. Thus, unlike with other types of urinary diversion, urination closely matches the natural process, occurring through the urethra at a time the patient chooses. There is typically no need for catheterization. Furthermore, there is no need to care for a stoma or to utilize an external collection device. The patient may therefore experience an improved quality of life and post-operative sexual function. ^{[12] [13]}

Disadvantages

The surgery is more complex and longer than for other types of urinary diversion. Urinary incontinence is normal in the weeks and months following surgery and takes time and effort to control. Nighttime continence may never be achievable. In some cases, catheterization may be necessary to completely empty the neobladder. ^{[2] [14]}

Notable neobladders

In 2025, Deion Sanders revealed that he received a radical cystectomy and a neobladder following his bladder cancer diagnosis. ^[15]

See also

• Indiana pouch, a similar approach, but with the use of a stoma

References

1. "Neobladder: What Is It and Why Someone Might Need a Neobladder". Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
2. "Neobladder reconstruction - Mayo Clinic". www.mayoclinic.org. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
3. bcan_admin (2024-09-16). "Bladder Removal Surgery: What is a Cystectomy?". Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
4. Chang, DwayneT. S.; Lawrentschuk, Nathan (2015). "Orthotopic neobladder reconstruction". Urology Annals. 7 (1): 1–7. doi: 10.4103/0974-7796.148553 . ISSN   0974-7796. PMC   4310095 . PMID   25657535.
5. Hautmann, R. E.; Egghart, G.; Frohneberg, D.; Miller, K. (January 1988). "The Ileal Neobladder". The Journal of Urology. 139 (1): 39–42. doi:10.1016/S0022-5347(17)42283-X. PMID   3336101.
6. HAUTMANN, RICHARD E. (March 2003). "Urinary Diversion: Ileal Conduit to Neobladder". The Journal of Urology. 169 (3): 834–842. doi:10.1097/01.ju.0000029010.97686.eb. PMID   12576795.
7. Barone, Biagio; Napolitano, Luigi; Reccia, Pasquale; Calace, Francesco Paolo; De Luca, Luigi; Olivetta, Michelangelo; Stizzo, Marco; Rubinacci, Andrea; Della Rosa, Giampiero; Lecce, Arturo; Romano, Lorenzo; Sciorio, Carmine; Spirito, Lorenzo; Mattiello, Gennaro; Vastarella, Maria Giovanna (2024-04-08). "Advances in Urinary Diversion: From Cutaneous Ureterostomy to Orthotopic Neobladder Reconstruction—A Comprehensive Review". Journal of Personalized Medicine. 14 (4): 392. doi: 10.3390/jpm14040392 . ISSN   2075-4426. PMC   11051023 . PMID   38673019.
8. Barone, Biagio; Napolitano, Luigi; Reccia, Pasquale; Calace, Francesco Paolo; De Luca, Luigi; Olivetta, Michelangelo; Stizzo, Marco; Rubinacci, Andrea; Della Rosa, Giampiero; Lecce, Arturo; Romano, Lorenzo; Sciorio, Carmine; Spirito, Lorenzo; Mattiello, Gennaro; Vastarella, Maria Giovanna (2024-04-08). "Advances in Urinary Diversion: From Cutaneous Ureterostomy to Orthotopic Neobladder Reconstruction—A Comprehensive Review". Journal of Personalized Medicine. 14 (4): 392. doi: 10.3390/jpm14040392 . ISSN   2075-4426. PMC   11051023 . PMID   38673019.
9. Gakis, Georgios; Stenzl, Arnulf (2010-12-01). "Ileal Neobladder and Its Variants". European Urology Supplements. Incorporating the EAU-EBU Update Series. 9 (10): 745–753. doi:10.1016/j.eursup.2010.10.001. ISSN   1569-9056.
10. Tan, Wei Shen; Lamb, Benjamin W.; Kelly, John D. (2016-03-03). "Evolution of the neobladder: A critical review of open and intracorporeal neobladder reconstruction techniques". Scandinavian Journal of Urology. 50 (2): 95–103. doi:10.3109/21681805.2016.1141318. ISSN   2168-1805. PMID   26882458.
11. Chang, DwayneT. S.; Lawrentschuk, Nathan (2015). "Orthotopic neobladder reconstruction". Urology Annals. 7 (1): 1–7. doi: 10.4103/0974-7796.148553 . ISSN   0974-7796. PMC   4310095 . PMID   25657535.
12. Cicione, A.; De Nunzio, C.; Lombardo, R.; Trucchi, A.; Manno, S.; Lima, E.; Tubaro, A. (2020). "Complications and quality of life of ileal conduit, orthotopic neobladder and ureterocutaneostomy: systematic review of reports using the Clavien-Dindo Classification - Minerva Urologica e Nefrologica 2020 August;72(4):408-19". Minerva Urologica e Nefrologica = the Italian Journal of Urology and Nephrology. 72 (4): 408–419. doi:10.23736/s0393-2249.20.03641-3. PMID   32734749 . Retrieved 2025-08-13.
13. Pronk, Claudia E.; Albers, Leonore F.; Kuijper, Lothar D. J.; Hendricksen, Kees; Nicolai, Melianthe P. J. (2023-10-03). "Sexual function after radical cystectomy in males with bladder carcinoma: a six-year longitudinal single-centre study". Frontiers in Urology. 3 1100516. doi: 10.3389/fruro.2023.1100516 . ISSN   2673-9828. PMC   12327249 . PMID   40778018.
14. "What Is Urinary Diversion Surgery?". Cleveland Clinic. Archived from the original on 2025-06-19. Retrieved 2025-08-13.
15. Boden, Sarah (2025-08-02). "How surgeons build a new bladder for cancer patients like Deion Sanders". NPR. Retrieved 2025-08-13.