Overview
Bladder augmentation (augmentation cystoplasty) is a surgery to make the bladder larger. It is performed to protect the kidneys from high pressure and to improve urinary incontinence.
Indications
This surgery is often recommended for patients with a small, stiff bladder that cannot hold enough urine, often due to neurogenic bladder or other conditions.
The Procedure
A piece of the intestine is removed and attached to the bladder to increase its size. This allows the bladder to hold more urine at lower pressures.
Recovery
Recovery involves a hospital stay of several days. Patients may need to learn how to use a catheter to empty their bladder completely after the surgery.