In this study the authors have tried to identify some useful parameters for assessing the quality of life after cystectomy: continence, sexual activity, electrolytic and acid-base balance alterations. Factors which could improve the quality of life after cystectomy include improving surgical techniques and the correct practice of informed consent, when the doctor should give as much information as possible on the therapeutic options, specifying the pros and cons and possible complications, while paying particular attention to the psychological aspects.
VeliaM., GerbinoG., CaldareraE., MelloniD., Pavone-MacalusoM.: Qualità della vita ed analisi costo-utilità nel paziente cistectomizato. Confronto tra diverse metodiche di derivazione urinaria. Atti 44° Convegno Società di Urologia dell'Italia Centro-Meridionale e delle Isole. Latina, S. Felice Circeo, 21–23 settembre 1995, pp. 131–137.
2.
NordstromG., NjmanC.R., TheorellT.: Psychological adjustment and general state of health in patients with ileal conduit urinary diversion. Scand. J. Urol. Nephrol., 26: 139–147, 1992.
3.
ManssonA., JohnsonG., ManssonW.: Quality of life after cystectomy. Brit. J. Urol., 62: 240–245, 1988.
4.
CaffoO., FellinG., GrafferU., LucianiI.: Assessment of quality of life after cystectomy or conservative therapy for patients with infiltrating bladder carcinoma. A survey by a self-administered questionnaire. Cancer, 78: 1089–97, 1996.
5.
BoydS.D., SkinnerE., LieskovskyG., SkinnerD.G.: Continent and orthotopic urinary diversion following radical cystectomy. Should these reconstructive procedures now be considered standard of care? Surg. Oncol. Clin. North Am., 4: 277–286, 1995.
6.
MartelliA., ConcettiS., Lo CignoM.: Chirurgia intestinale e derivazioni urinarie. In: Trattato di Urologia, a cura di M. Pavone-Macaluso. Torino, UTET, vol. 2, cap. 54: 1369–1410, 1995.
7.
BoydS.D., FeinbergS.M., SkinnerD.G., LieskovskjG., BaronD., RichardsonJ.: Quality of life survey of urinary diversion patients: comparison of ileal conduits versus continent Kock ileal reservoirs. J. Urol., 138: 1386–1389, 1987.
8.
SchoenbergM.P., WalshP.C., BreazealeD.R., MarshallF.F., MostwinJ.L., BrendlerC.B.: Local recurrence and survival following nerve sparing radical cystoprostatectomy for bladder cancer: 10-year follow-up. J. Urol., 155: 490–494, 1996.
9.
PoulsenA.M., StevenK.: Acid-base metabolism after bladder substitution with the ileal urethral Kock reservoir. Brit. J. Urol., 78: 47–53, 1996.