The downside of ileocystoplasty for persons with cervical spinal cord injury and an indwelling urinary catheter.

PURPOSE: To explore the lived experience of persons with cervical spinal cord injury with a urinary catheter in situ, managing mucus in urine following ileocystoplasty

METHOD: Descriptive qualitative methodology was employed. Semi-structured, one-to-one, audiotaped interviews with men (n=6) and a woman (n=1) with cervical-level spinal cord injuries (C4-C6). Analyses of transcribed verbatim transcripts was undertaken using thematic analysis.

FINDINGS: There was a mean of 3.6 years since ileocystoplasty. Six major themes emerged from the data. All participants perceived the surgery had adversely affected their life, in part because regular intervention was needed to manage the significant problem of mucus. There was also an increase in autonomic dysreflexia episodes experienced due to mucus blocking bladder drainage.

CONCLUSION

Consequences of mucus production have impacted negatively upon participants' health and their ability to participate in life situations, as well as increasing their dependence on others.