Pelvic Exenteration: Complications of Urinary Diversion

Abstract

Complications were directly related to urinary diversion among 32 patients who underwent pelvic exenteration for gynecologic malignancy. Eight patients (25%) sustained 10 major complications, including 8 urinary fistulas and 2 fistulas from the enteroenterostomy sites. The frequency of these complications was greater among patients who had total exenteration than among those who had anterior exenteration only. Identification of factors responsible for these complications is attempted and methods for reducing the morbidity related to urinary diversion in these patients were discussed.