From August 1982 through March 1988, 531 patients have undergone continent urinary diversion using an ileal reservoir constructed according to the method of Kock. For the past year, the Division of Urology at the USC School of Medicine in Los Angeles has used the principle of Kock reservoir construction for primary lower urinary tract reconstruction after cystectomy in 39 highly selected male patients by means of a ureteroileal urethrostomy. Early complications occurred in 86 of 531 patients (16.2%), resulting in an operative mortality rate of 1.9% (ten of 531). The early complication rate was 16.5% in patients undergoing single stage cystectomy and Kock pouch construction and 15.2% among patients undergoing Kock pouch conversion. Late complications have been analyzed in a group of 489 patients who have undergone Kock cutaneous diversion. The complications unique to continent urinary diversion, their incidence, and the effect of technical modifications in reducing the number of late complications are discussed. Since the time of the last modification, in July 1985, the overall incidence of late complication has dropped to 22%. Based on this ongoing experience, the authors conclude that: 1) the continent ileal reservoir as conceived by Kock remains the best internal reservoir for bladder replacement in terms of volume, accommodation with the lowest internal pressures compared with other alternative reservoir construction, 2) the intussuscepted ileal nipple valve mechanism is a reproducible, highly effective mechanism that prevents reflux in 95% of patients and produces excellent continence, 3) our enthusiasm remains tempered by the need for reoperation in approximately 10-15% of patients, usually due to a pinhole fistula or false passage at the base of the efferent nipple valve mechanism, 4) electrolyte abnormalities rarely occur and gastrointestinal dysfunction is unusual in the absence of radiation, and 5) continent urinary diversion is a viable long-term concept that provides a real alternative in terms of quality of life and self-image for the patient undergoing urinary diversion.

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