Autoaugmentation by detrusor myotomy: its lack of effectiveness in the management of congenital neuropathic bladder.

PURPOSE: We present our long-term results in 17 patients with myelomeningocele undergoing autoaugmentation by vesicomyotomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Surgery was performed from 1990 to 1994 on 17 patients with neurogenic bladder due to spinal dysraphism. Indications for autoaugmentation included upper tract deterioration and/or incontinence secondary to hypperreflexia, hypocompliance or low bladder volume. All patients had failed to respond to conservative medical and pharmacological treatments. Median patient age at surgery was 10.2 years (range 2.2 to 13.2). Outcomes were evaluated retrospectively according to changes in upper tract status, continence and urodynamic parameters. Median clinical and urodynamic followup is 75 months (range 4 to 126).

RESULTS: Progressive hydronephrosis developed in 5 patients, which required subsequent enterocystoplasty in 4. Of 13 patients 8 (62%) remain incontinent. Of the 17 cases 12 (71%) were considered clinical failures on the basis of upper tract deterioration and/or ongoing incontinence. There were few clinically significant improvements in urodynamic parameters, as 14 of 15 cases (93%) were considered urodynamic failures on the basis of persistent hypocompliance and/or less than expected gains in safe bladder capacity with somatic growth.

CONCLUSIONS: Although short-term reports of autoaugmentation have been promising, they do not appear durable. This procedure cannot be endorsed for the management of congenital neuropathic bladder.