A urinary diversion is an alternative way for urine to be released from the body when urinary tract system no longer works, according to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. It is usually created when the bladder is removed due to cancer or nerve damage, but any problem that causes urine to collect in the kidneys may require a diversion. Urinary diversions can be created using an external pouch or an internal pouch crafted from the intestines or gastrointestinal tract. Complications can be serious so it is important to know the risks.
Infection
A serious complication associated with urinary diversion is infection. The Cleveland Clinic states that infection can occur when the urinary diversion does not work properly and urine backs up in the kidneys allowing harmful bacteria to spread throughout the urinary tract system. Symptoms of infection include dark urine or mucus in the urine, strong-smelling urine, pain in the back, poor appetite, nausea and or vomiting. Chronic kidney infections may eventually lead to kidney stone formations and organ damaged.
Leaks
On rare occasions, a person with an external urinary diversion may experience leaks, according to Ohio's Cleveland Clinic. Sometimes, a urinary catheter or a tube used to drain urine is required along with an external pouch. The Wessex Urology Support Group states leaks can occur when the catheter is not installed correctly, there is a change in body weight or the skin is damp when the external pouch is attached. A leaking catheter or external pouch may release a foul odor in the area of the diversion.
Urinary Retention
Some people may have trouble urinating after they receive a urinary diversion. The Cleveland Clinic states that these people may need to perform catheterization every four to six hours in order to drain urine from the kidneys. The website UrologyHealth.org estimates that approximately 50 percent of women are unable to urinate after receiving a urinary diversion, while both men and women report a distended pouch that sometimes causes additional complications. While urinary retention is usually temporary, in some cases, it can become permanent requiring life-long catheterizations.
