ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Bladder-exstrophy-epispadias complex (BEEC) represents a spectrum of urogenital step-wise malformations: epispadias, complete exstrophy, and cloacal exstrophy. Psychosexual development in adolescent patients with BEEC may become especially problematic. At present, there are few contributions in the literature investigating the validity of psychosexual treatment in order to tackle this particularly emotional and personal development phase. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed at verifying the efficacy of an intervention methodology for psychosexual support of a group of adolescents with BEEC. The main goal of the intervention program was to educate the adolescents and re-frame how they see themselves or feel about themselves, especially in relation to BEEC. In particular it was predicted that the program could: (1) improve the perception of pleasure concerning the body, particularly regarding the genital area, giving proper and specific information on pleasure, masturbation and medical history of BEEC; and (2) elicit a more relational-affective perspective on sexuality. STUDY DESIGN: 13 adolescent patients took part in the 1-year program. The effects of the intervention program were verified through a test-retest methodology using Sexuality Evaluation Schedule Assessment Monitoring (SESAMO). RESULTS: The results showed that participants changed their attitude in several psychosexual areas, more specifically: psycho-environmental situations, body experience, areas of pleasure, medical and sexual history, and motivation and conflict areas (Summary Table). DISCUSSION: This study demonstrated, for the first time, that a targeted program may significantly improve the psycho-sexual condition of adolescents with BEEC. In particular, this research showed that adolescents need to be able to discuss and tackle topics of a psychological and sexual nature, as well as receive understandable answers that can be put into practice in their everyday lives. The study had several methodological limitations, especially owing to the limited number of participants, the absence of a follow-up period of a few months after the intervention, and the overall exploratory nature of the program. CONCLUSION: This intervention methodology may be considered a first attempt at improving the self-esteem of adolescents with BEEC, by contrasting forms of psychological difficulties in order to improve the quality of life of these young people.
