Ureterosigmoidostomy

Ureterosigmoidostomy is a surgical procedure that diverts the ureters, which carry urine from the kidneys, into the sigmoid colon. It is used today mainly as a secondary treatment for bladder cancer patients who have had their bladder removed, and it was also used decades ago to correct bladder exstrophy in children born with that condition, though the procedure carries an increased risk of kidney infection because bacteria from the bowel can travel back up the ureters, and it can also cause diarrhea and electrolyte imbalance since urine entering the colon disturbs the normal exchange of sodium, potassium, chloride and bicarbonate there.