Bladder replacement following radical cystectomy is widely practiced and in some centers has become the standard method of urinary diversion when possible, rather than the traditional ileal conduit. To minimize the impact of cystectomy and bladder replacement on quality of life and to obtain optimal functional results, postoperative care must be comprehensive and multidisciplinary. Critical team members include the surgeon, urologic nurses, WOC nurses, and allied health care providers such as physiotherapists. This article highlights postoperative considerations for patients undergoing radical cystectomy with orthotopic neobladder construction. The common issues and complications that arise are discussed with a focus on strategies to optimize outcomes.
The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of pelvic floor muscle (PFM) assessment and training before and after robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RARP) in improving PFM strength and urinary continence. We performed an analysis of a database of patients who underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RARP) performed by two urologists from 2011 to 2013. Pelvic floor muscle (PFM) activation and strength were graded by a trained pelvic floor physiotherapist. Patients were given an exercise program, grouped according to the strength of their pelvic floor as graded by assessment, to complete before and after surgery. PFM strength was recorded preoperatively, 4 days post-catheter removal and 4 weeks post-catheter removal. Continence was recorded at 4 weeks postop and was defined as the requirement of no continence aids. A total of 98 patients had RARP and a preoperative physiotherapy assessment plus postoperative appointments at around 1 and 4 weeks post-RARP. The majority of men improved their PFM strength regardless of preoperative strength with no significant predictors of postoperative strength found. Age was the only significant predictor of postoperative incontinence. In this pilot study, a majority of patients increased their pelvic floor strength with time. Pelvic floor physiotherapy is an important modifiable patient factor, which does have an impact in improving patients' urinary continence by strengthening the pelvic floor muscles. Patient age influences response to pelvic floor physiotherapy.
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