Single-stage Female Epispadias Repair by Combined Infrasymphyseal Bladder Neck Plication and Urethrogenitoplasty: A Novel Technique

Abstract

To evaluate the role of infrasymphyseal bladder neck plication and suspension from the pubic bone along with urethrogenitoplasty as a single-stage procedure for treating isolated cases of female epispadias. Six patients with female epispadias having grade 3 urinary incontinence were treated through bladder neck plication and suspension from the pubic bone along with urethrogenitoplasty from December 2013 to March 2016. Of the 6 patients with a mean age of 5.91 years (3-10 years) and a mean postoperative follow-up of 13.17 months (4-29 months), 5 patients stopped wearing diapers and were fully continent with a dry period of more than 3 hours from the first week of catheter removal. One patient experienced urine leakage while playing or crying in the initial postoperative period. However, this patient became continent with a dry period of more than 3 hours after 4 months of follow-up. All patients had an excellent cosmetic outcome without any considerable postoperative complications. All patients were voiding well without significant postvoid residual urine. The present technique is simple, safe, and effective for achieving urinary continence in patients with female epispadias.