In children with bladder augmentation and particularly in those with bladder neck repair (BNR), urinary tract infections (UTI) and bladder calculi are a recognised problem. Bladder irrigation potentially prevents these complications. Our aim was to investigate the efficacy of bladder irrigation supported by a surveillance program in prevention of UTI and bladder calculi in these children.

A cohort of children subjected to ileocystoplasty with a stoma for clean intermittent self catheterisation with or without BNR was retrospectively analysed. The children were subjected to bladder irrigation and monitored by Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) according to a protocol. Patients’ demographics, treatment methods and postoperative management were reviewed. Compliance to bladder irrigation was assessed with questionnaires. UTI recurrence and bladder calculi during follow-up were assessed.

28 children were included in this study. The median follow-up was 48 months (range 6–87). Compliance could be assessed in all children, except in one child (3.5%). There was no recurrent UTI reported, bladder calculi occurred in two children (7%).

Our bladder irrigation regime resulted in a low incidence of calculi by preventing recurrent UTI. The surveillance program resulted in high compliance rates in children with an augmented bladder with or without BNR.