Cystectomy

Overview

Removal of the bladder (cystectomy) is a complex surgical procedure. Cystectomy is most commonly performed for bladder cancer, but it's also done for other cancers or conditions such as birth defects, trauma or certain neurological disorders.

Cystectomy involves either partial or complete (radical) removal of the bladder. This surgery may be performed either as an open or minimally invasive (laparoscopic) procedure. Minimally invasive surgery typically involves the use of a surgical robot for better precision.

After a complete cystectomy, surgeons reconstruct the urinary tract to provide a way for you to expel urine. Several options exist. For example, the surgeon may create a tube (urinary conduit) using a piece of your bowel (intestine) that runs from your kidneys to a pouch (urostomy bag) outside of your abdomen. Or, in certain cases, the surgeon may create a new bladder (neobladder) made out of a section of the bowel, enabling near-normal urination.

Why choose Mayo Clinic for cystectomy

• Expertise and experience. Mayo surgeons are skilled in both partial and complete cystectomies, as well as urinary diversion surgery. Mayo Clinic's high-volume practice means that you'll receive the highest level of care.
• Team approach, tailored to your needs. Your Mayo Clinic treatment team will conduct extensive testing and consultations. They will recommend the most appropriate type of cystectomy to treat your bladder cancer (based on type, stage, size and location) or other condition, and provide expert follow-up care.
• Advanced technology. Mayo Clinic's surgeons have been at the forefront in designing new methods for urinary diversion after bladder removal. They perform several types of urinary diversion, such as creating a new bladder when feasible, to help speed your recovery and improve quality of life.

Mayo Clinic: Answers you can trust

At Mayo Clinic, we assemble a team of specialists who take the time to listen and thoroughly understand your health issues and concerns. We tailor the care you receive to your personal health care needs. You can trust our specialists to collaborate and offer you the best possible outcomes, safety and service.

Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit medical institution that reinvests all earnings into improving medical practice, research and education. We're constantly involved in innovation and medical research, finding solutions to improve your care and quality of life. Your doctor or someone on your medical team is likely involved in research related to your condition.

Our patients tell us that the quality of their interactions, our attention to detail and the efficiency of their visits mean health care — and trusted answers — like they've never experienced.

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