Bladder Augmentation

Access exceptional care for adult bladder augmentation at Montefiore Einstein Urology and for children at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore Einstein (CHAM). As a leader in urology, we are an academic-based referral site for the most complex and high-risk cases. For over a century, we have been at the forefront of innovation, research and clinical care for genitourinary (GU) conditions.

Montefiore Einstein continues to make advances in the diagnosis and treatment of GU conditions. Our multidisciplinary team of specialists is passionate about uncovering diagnostic approaches and treatments that can improve outcomes.

Montefiore Einstein Urology provides you with compassionate, personalized, research-driven treatment plans that meet the highest standards for quality and safety. In addition, we offer patients a full range of support services, from nutritional guidance to rehabilitative therapies. Our specialists are leaders in minimally invasive, laparoscopic, and robotic surgery. They have performed the region’s first robotic bladder augmentation and continent urinary diversion procedure.

When you want only the best for yourself or your child, turn to our dedicated providers who will develop a highly personalized treatment plan.

Bladder augmentation, also known as augmentation cystoplasty, is a reconstructive surgery performed for lower urinary tract dysfunction to increase bladder capacity and reduce storage pressures. In this surgery, a part of the bowel is added to the urinary bladder. This increases the bladder’s size and capacity, allowing it to store more urine.

Certain cases associated with lower urinary tract dysfunction may lead to loss of bladder capacity, urinary incontinence and chronic renal failure. These conditions include neurogenic bladder due to spina bifida, multiple sclerosis and other neurologic conditions, congenital malformations (such as cloacal and bladder exstrophy) and trauma. A bladder that is too small, too tight and/or unable to expand can cause urine to leak. A dysfunctional bladder can also cause urine to back up into the kidneys, posing a risk of kidney damage.

Bladder augmentation may be indicated when medical treatments and interventional methods—such as clean intermittent catheterization—fail to control high intravesical (bladder) pressure, persistent urinary incontinence, or recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs), especially in the presence of vesicoureteral reflux and impaired renal function.

Bladder augmentation can increase bladder capacity and reduce intravesical pressure, potentially avoiding the occurrence or progression of kidney dysfunction.

The goal of bladder augmentation is to enlarge the size and capacity of the bladder so that it can hold more urine. In this procedure, a portion of the ileum (small intestine), colon or stomach is used to augment the bladder, creating a larger reservoir for urine. The ileum is most commonly used, and this procedure is called an ileocystoplasty.

Bladder augmentation often requires close monitoring and additional treatment for urinary incontinence. A Mitrofanoff procedure (creating a catheterizabled conduit using the appendix or small bowel) is often a part of the bladder augmentation.