[nobleafire]

My son is going to be 12 soon, he was born with spina bifida, and has always had to be in a pull-up, as he is always voiding. We have tried to cath him, but he gets MAJOR infections, usually 2-3 different growths (infections at a time), but, when we don't cath him, he is un-infected. Not the greatest for him, but, I am looking at the overuse of antibiotics (we only have so many to be used after all). Anyway, his doctor wants him to go in to talk about this mitrofanoff procedure. What I don't understand is, 1st, how to keep infection away? (and to answer, we are VERY clean when he is cathed), and, if the "hole" is in his bellybutton, how does the urine all come out? I mean, it is gravity that makes his urine come out when he does cath, if he is laying down, his cath quits producing but, when hi sits up (and the cath is out) he urinates like a river (meaning to me, he did'nt empty using the cath). I don't know, I don't have to physically do this, and I can't begin to imagine how he feels, but, I want what's good for him... Any thoughts, or help? PLEASE?
Thank-you,
mom-kristen

If the picture came up, that's him, riding to a first place at a horse show

[Nichole]

I don't know anything about the different options you have, I just use the self cath (I think is what you call it). Anyway I just wanted to say hi, and that your son is adorable. I hope you find the information you're looking for.

[Caliente]

Hi,

My daughter (who is 15) has spina bifida and had a bladder aug and mitrofanoff procedure in May. It's working extremely well for her so far. She's on Oxybutynin three times a day to help prevent bladder spasms, and has one dose of Trymethoprim (antibiotic) every night to help prevent infection. She caths every three to four hours. She's able to do this herself without any help from me. She also has to flush with saline twice a day to get rid of any mucous, but that only needs to be done because her bladder was enlarged using a piece of her bowel.

It took her a long time to come to the decision to have the surgery, but she hasn't looked back since having it done. Definitely the best decision she ever made!