Mitrofanoff Support

General information

Professor Paul Mitrofanoff created the Mitrofanoff (mi-trof-fan-off) procedure in 1976, also known as the Mitrofanoff Appendiciovesicostomy or a Continent Urinary Diversion. The Mitrofanoff was introduced to permit bladder drainage where voiding or urethral self-catheterisation is not possible. For a patient the procedure enables them to maintain dignity and means that there is no need to have an indwelling catheter or wear a stoma bag.

What is a Mitrofanoff?

• Creates a channel into the bladder
• A catheter is used visa the channel to empty the bladder

The Mitrofanoff is often situated on the right hand side of the lower abdomen, just below the underwear line or for cosmetic appearances another possible site is the umbilicus.

The procedure may be an option due to the following conditions:

• Congenital birth malformations ie; bladder exstrophy, bladder epispadias, spina bifida and neurogenic bladder
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Spinal Cord Injuries and paraplegia
• Bladder cancer patients and in some cases prostate or bowel cancer

Bladder enlargement or replacing a bladder:

• Bladder augmentation, this is to enlarge a small bladder and to create a sufficient reservoir
• Neo bladder, when a new bladder is created due to disease

Complications, post operatively:

• Stenosis (narrowing)
• Leaking
• Stones
• Infections

All procedures and surgery come with risks and complications, the Mitrofanoff procedure may not be suitable or successful in some cases.

The benefits

The Mitrofanoff procedure can be a long-term solution to enable patients to maintain a normal quality of life and dignity.