Currently we are witnessing an increase of interest in bladder substitution enterocystoplasty. The goal of this presentation is to describe operative technique and first clinical results of a ileal neobladder for total bladder replacement. Creation of a ileal neobladder for total bladder replacement is described in 11 patients. To achieve a low pressure system, disruption of directional bowel peristalsis with a longitudinal incision at the antimesenteric border of a 70 cm ileal segment is performed. A spherical pouch, the neobladder, is fashioned and anastomosed to the urethra. The ureters are implanted according to Le Duc and Camey. Videourodynamic studies during various postoperative phases demonstrate this neobladder to be a urinary reservoir with a capacity approximating that of a normal bladder, good compliance during filling by maintaining pressures lower than 30 cm water and no reflux. Eight of the 11 patients with the neobladder are completely dry day and night. Three are stress incontinent grade I. All 11 patients developed recognizable sensations of bladder distension closely simulating those of their earlier bladders. The use of this ileal neobladder in male patients undergoing radical cystectomy offers a stoma free alternative to urinary diversion resulting in a highly compliant low pressure bladder. A urodynamic comparison between the most recent developments (Kock-pouch, Camey, Mainz-pouch, "Le Bag") is made and this clearly shows the ileal neobladder to have several distinct advantages: the ileocolonic junction and the terminal ileum are saved; the operative technique is safe, simple and reliable (no Kock valve, no 180 degree rotation of the reservoir, simple antireflux technique); development of recognizable sensations of bladder filling in all cases.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)