Delayed bladder rupture after augmentation enterocystoplasty

Delayed bladder perforation with peritonitis following augmentation enterocystoplasty in children with spina bifida is a serious and potentially life-threatening complication. Our experience with 4 such cases is presented. All patients had spina bifida with a neuropathic bladder and they had undergone augmentation enterocystoplasty with a tubular colonic segment of large bowel as part of an undiversion procedure. All patients were being managed with intermittent self-catheterization. The interval from augmentation enterocystoplasty until presentation ranged from 6 months to 3 years. Diagnosis was dealyed in all cases, including 3 in which cystogram studies were normal despite findings of extravasation of urine at exploration. In 1 patient generalized sepsis developed with the respiratory distress syndrome and, subsequently, she died.