The Benchekroun Ileal Valve

SUMMARY In our hands, the Benchekroun hydraulic ileal valve has proved to be a very reliable continence mechanism. The patient is provided with a cosmetically acceptable stoma that creates diurnal and nocturnal continence and ease of catheterization. Stomal stenosis has occurred in several patients in our series and has been managed successfully with dilatation or minor surgical revision. The efferent limbs are readily accessed by endoscopic equipment, permitting treatment of stones and surveillance for malignancy. The need for surgical revision is moderate, as only 5 of 15 patients have required such intervention, compared with the revision rate of 58% with plicated ileal efferent limbs in our hands.8 The in situ Benchekroun technique represents an economy of time and energy, especially as a salvage procedure for failed plicated ileal limbs. Currently, the Benchekroun hydraulic ileal valve is our continence mechanism of choice.