The impact of classic bladder exstrophy-epispadias repair in adult patients without continence

Abstract

Background: Bladder exstrophy-epispadias complex is a rare congenital anomaly. Very few patients grow with the condition intact in their adulthood which lead to compromise in the results of repair. We herein report our experience of correction of the defects in the adult patients in single stage without doing osteotomy andurinary diversion. Methods: The sample size was 13 patients over ten years. All were treated in single stage. Bladder neck repair was done using paraurethral tissue, primary abdominal closure was done without flap, epispadias repair was done using modified Cantwell-Ransley procedure and hernial repair was done without mesh. No osteotomy was done. All the patients were followed regularly. Minimum period of follow-up was one year. Urinary continence, change in habits and subjective assessment of well-being were also noted.Results: 86.4% patients were totally incontinent. Bladder and anterior abdominal wall were closed in all the patients. Complete epispadias was possible in15.3% patients and rest were converted into coronal hypospadias. Hernia was repaired in 23% patients. All the patients were satisfied with their cosmetic results and they were able to interact socially. Conclusions: Surgical correction of the exstrophy-epispadias complex is possible in adulthood in the hands of experts in single stage without osteotomy. Regular cystoscopic examination and urine cytology yearly are recommended to diagnose the malignant changes in the native bladder as early as possible. Psychological, social and self-level of satisfaction is high among these patients after the surgical correction.