Use of the appendix in urologic reconstructive operation.

Advances in genitourinary operation have allowed use of an appendicovesicostomy in patients requiring chronic catheterization for bladder emptying. Recent discussions of the appropriateness of incidental appendectomy have ignored the potential usefulness of the appendix as a catheterizable stoma. We present our experience with the Mitrofanoff principle to illustrate the advantages of an appendicovesicostomy and make a plea against incidental appendectomy in certain patient groups.