Objective To sum up the common mode in urinary diversion after radical cystectomy. Methods The recent original articles about the common mode in urinary diversion after radical cystectomy were extensively reviewed. Results Urinary diversion includes no continent ureterocutaneostomy, continent ureterocutaneostomy and orthotopic neobladder. Ileal conduit, an ideal procedure of urinary diversion, has been widely used in patients after radical cystectomy and it is uncertain whether the health related quality of life in patients undergoing orthotopic ileal neobladder is superior to those undergoing ileal conduit. A series of basic researches of tissue engineering show a wide prospect of clinical application in the future. Conclusion Intestinal segment will remain the main material for urinary diversion and bladder reconstruction in a long time. Tissue engineering materials may be ideal for the substitution of bladder, and tissue engineering becomes the ultimate approach to solve the problem of missing bladder.