The purpose of this operation is to form a channel between the bladder and the wall of the abdomen to allow intermittent self-catheterisation ie, drainage of the bladder. The Mitrofanoff is preferentially made from the appendix (or small bowel) which is mobilised on its blood supply or a piece of bowel, this can also be achieved with a fallopian tube. One end is tunnelled into the wall of the bladder to create a valve that acts as a continent mechanism, the other end is passed through an opening in the abdominal wall to form a small stoma through which a catheter can pass to empty the bladder 4-6 times a day.
The Mitrofanoff is often situated on the right hand side of the lower abdomen, just below the underwear line or for cosmetic appearances another possible site is the umbilicus.