What does ureterosigmoidostomy involve?

Ureterosigmoidostomy is a surgical procedure that involves the diversion of urine from the ureters directly into the sigmoid colon. In this procedure, the ureters, which are the tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder, are surgically removed from their normal anatomical pathway and attached to the sigmoid colon, allowing for urine to be expelled through the rectum instead of the bladder. This is usually performed in cases where the bladder may be dysfunctional or has been removed due to conditions such as cancer.

The practice of connecting the ureters to the sigmoid colon serves not only as a means of urine diversion but also addresses any issues related to bladder storage and voiding, providing a solution for patients who may have lost bladder function. It is a more uncommon approach compared to other urinary diversion techniques, but it underscores the versatility of surgical options available in urinary tract reconstruction.