
Urinary diversion is bypassing the normal structures in the urinary tract and creating an alternative way for the flow of urine through either a replacement bladder (neobladder) or an opening in the abdominal wall (stoma).
2 types of urinary diversions
- Noncontinent urinary diversion
- Urostomy: It is the most common type of urinary diversion done. A stoma or an opening in the abdomen is created that connects the urinary tract to allow the urine to drain from the body, which is collected and stored in a small bag called a urostomy pouch. This pouch is attached to the skin around the stoma and worn outside the body.
- Ileal conduit: A passage for urine is made by surgical removal of a piece of the intestine and attaching the ureters to the piece of intestine, which is further attached to an opening in the abdomen, creating a stoma.
- Cutaneous ureterostomy: A direct attachment of one or both the ureters to a stoma in the abdomen.
- Bladder catheterization: It involves inserting a catheter (a thin, flexible tube) into the bladder to drain urine into a collection bag outside the body.
- The two types of urinary catheters include:
- Foley catheter: Inserted into the bladder through the urethra.
- Suprapubic catheter: Inserted into the bladder through a small hole in the skin beneath the belly button.
- The two types of urinary catheters include:
- Cystostomy: A surgical procedure wherein a small tube is inserted into the bladder through the skin of the lower abdomen, which allows the urine to drain from the bladder into a bag outside the body.
- Nephrostomy: A tiny incision is made to insert a small tube, called a nephrostomy tube, through the skin of the back into the kidney, which allows the urine to drain from the kidney into a bag outside the body.
- Ureteral stent: A thin flexible tube guided with a cystoscope is inserted into the ureter to help urine flow from the kidney to the bladder.
- Urostomy: It is the most common type of urinary diversion done. A stoma or an opening in the abdomen is created that connects the urinary tract to allow the urine to drain from the body, which is collected and stored in a small bag called a urostomy pouch. This pouch is attached to the skin around the stoma and worn outside the body.
- Continent urinary diversion: An internal pouch created from part of the bowel or in the bladder collects and stores the urine inside the body until it is drained using a catheter.
- Continent cutaneous reservoir: A piece of bowel is used to create an internal pouch or reservoir to hold the urine and is placed inside the abdomen. The ureters are attached to the internal pouch wherein the urine is collected and drained by using a catheter.
- Bladder substitute or neobladder: A piece of bowel is used to create an internal reservoir called a bladder substitute or neobladder to hold the urine and is placed in the pelvis. The ureters are attached to the bladder substitute, and the bladder substitute is attached to the urethra through which a person can urinate.
What is urinary diversion?
Urinary diversion is a surgical procedure of creating a new way for the urinary exit when the urine flow is obstructed or blocked or there is a need to bypass a diseased area in the urinary tract.
Urinary diversion can be:
- Temporary: The flow of urine is rerouted for several days, weeks, or sometimes, months.
- Permanent: Surgical procedure is performed to create a permanent change to the way urine flows through the body.
The urinary tract or the drainage system of the body includes organs, such as the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. This drainage system is designed to remove the urine, which is made of toxic wastes and extra fluids.
If normal urine flow is obstructed, it may lead to the accumulation of toxic waste products in the urinary tract and may cause pain, urinary tract infections, urinary stones, or calculi, damage to the urinary tract, or a life-threatening complication, such as kidney failure.
Why do people need a urinary diversion?
A urinary diversion is mostly done for bladder cancer that requires the bladder to be removed through a procedure called cystectomy.
9 other reasons for a urinary diversion
- Nerve damage to the bladder caused by birth defects (such as spina bifida), spinal cord injury, and multiple sclerosis
- Chronic or long-lasting inflammation of the bladder, resulting from severe cases of interstitial cystitis, recurrent urinary tract infections, or chronic urinary retention
- Conditions that cause excessive pressure to the urethra or one or both ureters
- Chronic urinary retention from an enlarged prostate or benign prostatic hyperplasia
- Radiation therapy results in permanent damage to the bladder
- Severe urinary incontinence
- Trauma to the bladder, urethra, or pelvis
- Tumors in the genitourinary tract or adjacent tissues and organs
- Urinary stones or calculus

SLIDESHOW
Urinary Incontinence in Women: Types, Causes, and Treatments for Bladder Control See SlideshowHealth Solutions From Our Sponsors
Cleveland Clinic. Urinary Reconstruction & Diversion. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/12546-urinary-reconstruction--diversion
Bladder & Bowel Community. Urinary Diversion. https://www.bladderandbowel.org/surgical-treatment/urinary-diversion/
Urology Care Foundation. Urinary Diversion. https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/u/urinary-diversion
Top What Are the Types of Urinary Diversions Related Articles
Blood in Urine
Blood in the urine is termed hematuria. Hematuria, whether it be gross or microscopic, is abnormal and should be further investigated.Can Urinary Incontinence Be Reversed?
Urinary incontinence can happen to anyone and the severity varies depending on the age, cause, and type of urinary incontinence. Most cases of urinary incontinence can be cured or controlled with appropriate treatment.Healthy Urine Quiz
Interstitial Cystitis (IC) and Painful Bladder Syndrome (PBS)
Interstitial cystitis (IC)/painful bladder syndrome (PBS) is an inflammatory disease of the bladder that can cause ulceration and bleeding of the bladder's lining and can lead to scarring and stiffening of the bladder. Symptoms of interstitial cystitis may vary among individuals and may even vary with time in the same individual.Urinalysis (Urine Test)
Urinalysis (urine test, drug test) is a test performed on a patient's urine sample to diagnose conditions and diseases such as urinary tract infection, kidney infection, kidney stones, and inflammation of the kidneys, or screen for progression of conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure.Urinary Incontinence in Children
Urinary incontinence in children (enuresis) is twice as common in boys as in girls and may occur during the daytime or nighttime. Nighttime urinary incontinence is also called bedwetting and sleepwetting. The cause of nighttime incontinence in children is unknown. Daytime incontinence in children may be caused by an overactive bladder. Though many children overcome urinary incontinence naturally, it may be necessary to treat incontinence with medications, bladder training and moisture alarms, which wake the child when he or she begins to urinate.Incontinence in Men
Male urinary incontinence has a variety of causes and treatments. Learn about bladder incontinence surgeries, medications for male incontinence, and how prostate health is linked to urges and leaks. Understand common types like stress and urge incontinence.Incontinence in Women
Urinary incontinence in women is a common problem. Overactive bladder (OAB), stress incontinence, and urge incontinence can be treated. Learn more about the types of urinary incontinence, their symptoms, and treatment options.Urinary Incontinence Products for Men
There are many types of urinary incontinence (UI), which is the accidental leakage of urine. These types include stress incontinence, urge incontinence, and overflow incontinence. Urinary incontinence in men may be caused by prostate or nerve problems. Treatment depends upon the type and severity of the UI and the patient's lifestyle.Urinary Incontinence Quiz
What is urinary incontinence and why do people develop it? Learn all you need to know with this quiz.Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection of the bladder, kidneys, ureters, or urethra. E. coli, a type of bacteria that lives in the bowel and near the anus, causes most UTIs. UTI symptoms include pain, abdominal pain, mild fever, urinary urgency, and frequency. Treatment involves a course of antibiotics.Bladder Infections: UTI Causes, Symptoms, Treatments
Urinary Tract Infections (UTI's) can happen to anyone. Learn about symptoms, causes and home remedy treatments for bladder and kidney infections in women, infants, and men.UTI Symptoms Slideshow
Bladder infections can be painful and often require medical treatment. Get the latest information on urinary tract infections (UTI) . Learn how UTI's are diagnosed in infants, adults, and the elderly.Urinary Tract Infection Quiz
How would you know if you had urinary tract infection (UTI)? Take the Urinary Tract Infection in Adult Quiz to learn the causes, symptoms, and treatments for infection that can affect your kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.Urinary Tract Infections in Children
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are very common in children. Symptoms and signs include fever and abdominal pain. Associated symptoms and signs include flank pain, vomiting, and blood in the urine. Treatment for a UTI involves antibiotic therapy.What Are 4 Types of Urinary Incontinence?
What is urinary continence? Learn the four different types, what causes them, and how to treat them.What Should I Do If I Have Ketones in My Urine?
If your urine reports show moderate or high levels of ketones, consult your doctor right away.