Bladder surgery can be done to treat bladder cancer or to treat incontinence. Over 67,000 new cases of bladder cancer occur each year, with more men than women affected. Incontinence, on the other hands, affects more women than men. Many different types of surgery exist to treat both conditions, but complications tend to be similar.
Urinary Complications of Incontinence Surgery
Not surprisingly, surgery on the bladder can cause bladder complications. Surgery for incontinence can result in urinary retention and incomplete bladder emptying, although this may resolve shortly after surgery, MayoClinic.com states. An overactive bladder or urinary tract infection can also occur after bladder surgery for incontinence. Surgery for overactive bladder called bladder augmentation, which increases bladder size, may also increase the risk of developing bladder cancer, MayoClinic.com warns. Spontaneous bladder perforation may also occur.
Urinary Reservoir Complications
In many bladder cancer surgeries, the bladder is completely removed, which necessitates creation of a new reservoir to contain urine. A new reservoir is created from a part of the intestine. Urethral obstruction can occur, with urine backing up into the kidneys. After surgery to create an orthotopic neobladder from a bowel segment, patients may maintain bladder control during the day but experience leakage at night, the Merck Manual reports. Infection can also occur after bladder cancer surgeries that create a new urinary reservoir, the Milton S. Hershey Medical School states. Formation of an ileal conduit from the bowel, which attaches to the ureters that drain urine from the kidneys, can cause permanent damage to the upper urinary tract, according to the same source.
Sexual Side Effects
Bladder cancer surgery called cystectomy results in infertility for both men and women. In men, removal of the prostate and seminal vesicles along with the bladder results in loss of fertility. In women, removal of the uterus, ovaries and uterus causes infertility, MayoClinic.com states. Nerve damage during cystectomy for bladder cancer can result in impotence, the University of Michigan Health System reports. Difficult or painful intercourse may result after bladder surgery for incontinence.
Bowel Complications
Bowel obstruction can complicate bladder surgeries for cancer that create artificial reservoirs from part of the intestine. Rectal injury or formation of a fistula, an abnormal opening between the bowel and other structures can complicate cystectomy, the University of Michigan states.
Acidosis
Taking part of the intestine to use as a urine reservoir can result in acidosis, an electrolyte imbalance. Acidosis may require medication, says the University of Michigan Health System.
