Cystostomy Button for Bladder Drainage in Children

Milliken, I.
Munro, N. P.
Subramaniam, R.

Department of Pediatric Urology (IM, RS) and the Department of Urology (NPM), St. James's University Hospital, Leeds, United Kingdom

^*Correspondence: Department of Paediatric Urology, Level 4 Gledhow Wing, Nephrology Secretary Office, St. James University Hospital, Beckett's St., Leeds LS9 7TF United Kingdom (telephone: +44 113 2064840; FAX: +44 113 2066634).

Study received department and institutional guidelines and review committee approval.

Journal of Urology 178(6):p 2604-2606, December 2007.

Purpose

The “button” enteral feeding systems are widely used as a gastrostomy. We describe our use of this device to facilitate bladder drainage in children.

Materials and Methods

We prospectively reviewed all patients who underwent insertion of a cystostomy button between 2002 and 2005. Indications and complications were analyzed.

Results

A total of 17 children (8 female, 9 male) with a mean age of 7.1 years underwent insertion of a cystostomy button during the 4-year period. Mean followup was 16 months (range 2 to 40). Cases selected included those with a neuropathic bladder, prune belly syndrome, previous major bladder neck surgery and those unsuitable for Mitrofanoff stoma formation. Complications included 1 wound infection treated with antibiotics. Four children had leakage from the cystostomy site that was successfully treated with a change in button size, and 14 buttons remain in situ.

Conclusions

Button cystostomy is a safe and effective form of bladder drainage in children. It is a good alternative to standard suprapubic drainage and it gives children an improved quality of life.