Although selection of a short ileal segment in the formation of an ileal conduit usually is recommended it is apparent that a truly short conduit is not used often. Therefore, a technique for the construction of a short ileal conduit is presented. It is suggested that many reported series of ileal diversions with subsequent renal deterioration may have used long ileal segments and consequently, may not be valid. Prospective series with short ileal segments seem necessary prior to the complete abandonment of the now widely used procedure of ileal conduit diversion.