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AIMS: To examine the number and types of urological surgical procedures carried out in a regional prevalence population of patients with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) during five decades, evaluate objective and patient-reported outcomes and to consider lessons learned for further improvement of surgical treatment in this patient group.

METHODS: In a cross-sectional study of 412 patients with traumatic SCI, one-third had undergone urological surgery through a period of up to 50 years. Data on types of surgery, complications, follow-up and outcomes were collected in a retrospective review of patient files. S-creatinine, S-cystatin-C, renal ultrasound and a questionnaire regarding complications during the preceding year were assembled as part of a yearly follow-up. Descriptive statistics were calculated. Logistic regression was used to determine risk profiles for the incidence of urological surgery.

RESULTS: A total of 137 patients had undergone 262 urological surgical interventions. The incidence was highest amongst persons with a cervical-thoracic neurological level of spinal cord lesion and during the first 2 years after SCI. Surgery for urinary stones constituted 29% of all procedures. One-fourth of the patients had undergone 47% of all procedures, notably urinary diversion and ensuing complications, implants and revisions, repeated stone interventions or bladder outlet procedures. After reconstructive surgery functional outcomes and patient-reported satisfaction were generally favourable, but long-term signs of renal complications were frequent.

CONCLUSIONS: Urological surgery after SCI involves imperative as well as reconstructive procedures, some of which are challenging and call for centralisation to devoted teams. Prospective studies of reconstructive urology are warranted, including more extensive patient-reported outcomes.