In the vast majority of cases the terminal ileum is used for incontinent or continent bladder substitution. However, in irradiated patients the use of ileum segments or the ileocecal reservoir is associated with an increased risk of early and late complications. For this reason these patients should be treated with a transverse conduit or pouch as the method of choice if urinary diversion is indicated. The superior outcome of this high urinary diversion is due to the use of non-irradiated segments of the colon and ureter. The lack of experience in large bowel surgery by today's urologists should be compensated by training or referral of these high risk patients to a specialized center.
