To compare the incidence rate of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and associated pathogens between patients with ileal conduit and patients with orthotopic neobladder urinary diversion.

The medical records of 179 patients treated with radical cystectomy between 2006 and 2011 were reviewed and data pertaining to postoperative UTI were collected. UTI incidence was reported at 3 months' intervals and compared by diversion type. Preoperative predictors of UTI were evaluated with Cox regression analyses.

The study cohort included 130 patients with ileal conduit and 49 patients with orthotopic neobladder. Patients with a neobladder were younger (P <.001). Median follow-up was 38 months (IQR [interquartile range], 11-63). Median time from surgery to first infection was 1.5 months (IQR, 1-12.5) for patients with a neobladder and 11 months (IQR, 2.5-27) for patients with a conduit (P = .04). During the first 3 months after surgery, 29% of the patients with a neobladder and 8% of the patients with ileal conduit had a UTI episode (P = .001). Rates of UTI did not differ during subsequent follow-up. Diversion type was not associated with UTI on multivariable analysis. Escherichia coli was the most common pathogen in patients with a conduit (58%), and Klebsiella spp. in patients with a neobladder (29%).

The risk of UTI is significantly higher in patients with a neobladder during the first 3 months after surgery and comparable to patients with ileal conduit during subsequent follow-up. These findings may facilitate preoperative counseling regarding the expected risk of UTI after urinary diversion.