Bladder exstrophy: treatment and results

ABSTRACT

67 patients [49 males and 18 females] presented with bladder extrophy with ages ranging from 30 days 28 years and have been followed for up to 12 years. The surgical procedures were multiple and included primary or secondary closure [with or without iliac osteotomy], ileocystoplasty, tightening of bladder neck, creation of a urinary pouch to replace the bladder, ureterosigmoid anastamosis, and repair of epispadius. Closure was eventually achieved in all the cases who attended for the completion of their treatment, and with the repair of epispadius, continence was not achieved although bladder augmentation helped in keeping the patients dry for longer hours especially on supine position. Although the treatment of bladder extrophy should start immediately after birth, yet older patients should not be denied the long painstaking procedures to let them lead an almost a normal life