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Bladder augmentation surgery makes your child’s bladder bigger. This handout explains what to expect if your child needs this surgery. |
What is bladder augmentation surgery?We add a tissue patch on the bladder to make it bigger. To make the patch, we use tissue from your child’s stomach, intestine or the tubes that connect the kidney to the bladder (ureters). Sometimes loosening the outside muscle of the bladder will also expand it. |
Why does my child need an augmentation?A bigger bladder helps your child hold more pee (urine) for a longer time. It also reduces the pressure inside the bladder. |
How do I prepare my child for surgery?We may put your child on a special diet of only clear liquids 1 to 3 days before surgery. Most children check into the hospital the day before or on the morning of the surgery and stay for 5 to 7 days. You will receive instructions on how to prepare your child. |
Will my child be in pain?Most of the stomach area will be numb from the pain medicine. After a surgery your child is likely to have some pain and discomfort. In most cases, we give pain medicine through a tube in your child’s vein (IV or intravenous). Sometimes, we give pain medicine through a small tube placed in the spine area, called an epidural catheter. The epidural will stay in place for days after surgery, until your child can take pain medicine by mouth. You know your child best. We encourage you to take an active part in your child’s recovery by talking with your care team about options for your child. In addition to medicine prescribed for pain, we will work with you to create a plan that encourages coping activities to treat pain and provide support. No matter the level of your child’s pain, we join you to assess and respond right away. Help your child get better, faster with good pain treatment. |
What should I expect after surgery? |
Tubes (catheters)Your child will have 2 or 3 catheters in place after surgery. One will drain from the bladder area into a urinary drainage bag. We may place another in your child’s urethra, where pee comes out. If your child had a Mitrofanoff surgery, a catheter will drain from the belly button. The third (called a JP or Jackson-Pratt drain) will drain into the belly. Except for the JP catheter, you will need to keep these catheters in place for 3 to 6 weeks at home. |
MedicinesWe may give your child medicines after surgery, such as:
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Irrigating the bladderWe will rinse the inside of the bladder (bladder irrigation) during the hospital stay, and you will need to do it at home. This process flushes out the bladder and removes mucus. Mucus could clog the catheters and lead to infection and bladder stones. This will be part of your child’s daily routine for the rest of their life. You put sterile saltwater (saline) into the bladder through a catheter and let it drain back out or draw it out with a syringe. |
How do I care for my child at home?Your child can likely go back to regular activity once the catheters are removed. Your nurse will teach you all you need to know to care for your child at home. You and your child may need to come into the clinic once a week until the urinary catheters have all been removed. The doctor (urologist) will give you a plan for any care needed after that. Your urologist may recommend cystoscopies every few years in older children, and in adults with bladder augmentations. A cystoscopy uses a tiny camera to look into the bladder through the urethra. |
Where can I learn more?Read our handouts below.
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Who do I call if I have questions?
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