Updated experience with the Monti catheterizable channel

OBJECTIVES The Monti catheterizable channel is used as an integral part of continent bladder reconstruction in children. We have updated our ongoing experience at Riley Children's Hospital with 199 patients. METHODS We identified 199 patients for retrospective review, including all patients for whom a Monti ileovesicostomy was created from January 1997 to August 2004. We assessed the complications, surgical procedures, and stomal continence. RESULTS At mean follow-up of 28 months, we found that 194 of 199 patients (97.5%) continued to use their Monti catheterizable channel for bladder drainage. Early surgical complications occurred in 7 patients (3.5%), usually in those who had undergone simultaneous bladder augmentation (5 of 7). Revision was required in 16 patients (8%) for stomal stenosis (n = 11), prolapse (n = 2), or superficial stomal problems (n = 3). Of the 199 patients, 17 (8.5%) required 19 bladder or channel revisions. The primary indications were related to elongation and angulation of the channel in 7 and deficient tunnel length in 8. Minor difficulty with catheterization was noted in 16 patients (8%), and endoscopy with minor procedures was required in 4 patients (2%). Leakage from the channel was uncommon, occurring in only 4 of 115 patients (3.5%). CONCLUSIONS With increasing demand for simultaneous appendicocecostomy for stool continence at bladder reconstruction, we continue to use the Monti ileovesicostomy for bladder drainage. Our experience with nearly 200 patients has demonstrated the durability and success of this technique.