Pediatric surgical complications of major genitourinary reconstruction in the exstrophy-epispadias complex

Rare exonic CELSR3 variants identified in Bladder Exstrophy Epispadias Complex

Introduction/background

Bladder exstrophy epispadias complex (BEEC) is a rare congenital anomaly of unknown etiology, although, genetic and environmental factors have been associated with its development. Variants in several genes expressed in the urogenital pathway have been reported as causative for bladder exstrophy in human and murine models. The expansion of next-generation sequencing and molecular genomics has improved our ability to identify the underlying genetic causes of similarly complex diseases and could thus assist with the investigation of the molecular basis of BEEC.

Objective

The objective was to identify the presence of rare heterozygous variants in genes previously implicated in bladder exstrophy and correlate them with the presence or absence of bladder regeneration in our study population.

Patients and Methods

We present a case series of 12 patients with BEEC who had bladder biopsies performed by pediatric urology during bladder neck reconstruction or bladder augmentation. Cases were classified as "sufficient" or "insufficient" (n = 5 and 7, respectively) based on a bladder volume of greater than or less than 40% of expected bladder size. Control bladder tissue specimens were obtained from patients (n = 6) undergoing biopsies for conditions other than bladder exstrophy. Whole exome sequencing was performed on DNA isolated from the bladder specimens. Based on the hypothesis of de novo mutations, as well as the potential implications of autosomal dominant conditions with incomplete penetrance, each case was evaluated for autosomal dominant variants in a set of genes previously implicated in BEEC.

Results

Our review of the literature identified 44 genes that have been implicated in human models of bladder exstrophy. Our whole exome sequencing data analysis identified rare variants in two of these genes among the cases classified as sufficient, and seven variants in five of these genes among the cases classified as insufficient.

Conclusion

We identified rare variants in seven previously implicated genes in our BEEC specimens. Additional research is needed to further understand the cellular signaling underlying this potentially genetically heterogeneous embryological condition.

Additional surgery in patients with bladder augmentation

INTRODUCTION

Bladder augmentation is an option to protect kidneys and treat incontinence in frequent neurogenic and congenital non-neurogenic disorders. However, patients may need also other procedures to treat incontinence or to aid catheterizations. In addition, the patients are prone to complications.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate complications or additional surgeries in augmentation cystoplasty according to the etiology of the bladder dysfunction.

STUDY DESIGN

Data on additional surgical procedures related to bladder augmentation were collected from 128 patients who had undergone enterocystoplasty between 1990 and 2019, with a median age of 10.1 years (IQR 7.2-12.8) and a follow-up time of 11.8 years (IQR 5.7-18.6) after augmentation.

RESULTS

Eighty-three patients had a neurogenic disease, and 45 patients had a non-neurogenic disease. Bladder neck operations were performed either at the time of or after augmentation for 62 patients (48.4%), more commonly in the non-neurogenic than neurogenic group <0.01. In addition, continent stoma operations in 56 (36.8%) patients were more common in the non-neurogenic group (p < 0.01). Ten patients received kidney transplantation (four in the neurogenic, six in the non-neurogenic group); seven of these patients originally had dysplastic kidneys, two developed nephrological kidney disease, and one had hydronephrosis and renal insufficiency at the time of diagnosis of neurogenic bladder. Surgical problems resulting from bladder augmentation were treated in 28 patients (21.8%). The risk for surgical treatment because of complications was 4%, 17%, 24%, 27% and 27% at 1, 5, 10, 15 and 20 years follow up respectively. Complications were more common in patients in non-neurogenic than in patients with neurogenic group (p < 0.01). However, the greater proportion of continent stomas in non-neurogenic group explained the difference (Fig.). The most frequent complication requiring surgery during follow-up was bladder stones, which occurred in 24 (18.8%) patients. The first stone was treated at a median of 3.3 years (range 0.3-14.2) after augmentation. Stones were more common in patients with a continent stoma than without (p < 0.01). Other indications for surgical treatment were as follows: obstructive ileus in five patients, reduced bladder capacity in three patients, bladder perforation in two patients and lobulated bladder with infections in one patient.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk for surgical treatment was about 27% in 20-year follow-up after bladder augmentation, because of augmentation related complications. The most prevalent complication was bladder stone, that was mainly associated with continent stomas. Continent stomas were most prevalent in patients with non-neurogenic diagnosis.

Early detection of deep wound infection in bladder exstrophy and hypospadias using a novel intervention

OBJECTIVE

To introduce a practical technique for the early detection and prompt management of a probable bladder dehiscence (BD) and glanular dehiscence (GD) in patients with bladder exstrophy epispadias complex (BEEC) and hypospadias.

METHOD

In this prospective study, paediatric patients with BEEC (group 1) and with proximal hypospadias (group 2) underwent body temperature measurement using a non-contact infrared radiant digital temperature measurement device in four body regions, including the surgical wound, forehead, right hand, and right foot at eight hour intervals, postoperatively. This technique was performed to detect wound temperature rises before whole body temperature rise or visible local wound skin redness, cellulitis or any sign of inflammation or wound dehiscence (WD).

RESULTS

A total of 24 paediatric patients were recruited. Temperature rise in the surgical wound area was discovered in two patients with BEEC. The temperature reached 39.2°C in the first case (12 days postoperative) and 39.4°C in the second case (16 days postoperative). Urinalysis, urine culture, and clean surgical wound sampling was performed and the presence of Gram-positive microorganisms was detected. Both patients were managed with intravenous imipenem and vancomycin. After changing the antibiotic regimen, wound temperature was gradually decreased to 37.2°C in the first patient by day 16, and to 36.9°C in the second patient by day 21, without rise in body temperature. Other patients in group 1 and all patients in group 2 had normal wound temperature fluctuations within the follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

Postoperative periodical temperature measurement by a non-contact infrared radiant digital temperature measurement device is a safe and feasible technique that has the ability to detect deep wound infection, and may prevent the occurrence of WD before any visible sign of inflammation.

Achieving urinary continence in cloacal exstrophy: The surgical cost

INTRODUCTION

Cloacal exstrophy (CE) is a severe midline congenital abnormality that requires numerous surgical corrections to achieve an acceptable quality of life. Candidates for urinary continence undergo multiple procedures, most often continent bladder diversions, to become socially dry. Here, the authors investigate the number of genitourinary interventions that patients with CE undergo to attain urinary continence.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database of 1311 exstrophy epispadias complex patients was performed. Patients with CE who have had at least one continence procedure were included. A continence procedure was defined as bladder neck reconstruction with or without augmentation, bladder neck transection with continent urinary diversion, augmentation cystoplasty, or use of injectable bulking agents. Continence was defined as a dry interval greater than 3 hours without leakage at night.

RESULTS

In total, 140 CE and CE variant patients have been managed at the authors' institution. Of the 116 CE patients, 59 received at least one continence procedure, 14 were excluded for incontinent diversion or cystectomy, and the remaining 43 patients are awaiting a continence procedure. At the time of analysis, 42 (71%) patients who underwent a continence procedure were dry. The median number of total urologic procedures to reach urinary continence was 4 (range 2-10). This included 1 bladder closure (range 1-3), 2 urinary continence procedures (range 1-4), and 1 (range 0-4) "other" genitourinary procedures. The median time to urinary continence was 11.0 years (95% CI [9.2-14.2]).

CONCLUSIONS

A majority of CE patients who undergo a diversion procedure can achieve urinary continence. However multiple continence procedures are likely necessary. Of patients who are candidates for a continence procedure, half will be continent by the age of 11.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, Case series with no comparison group.

Exstrophy-Epispadias Complex in a Newborn: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Aim The aim of this report is to present a brief review of the current literature on the management of EEC. Case Report A term male neonate presented at birth with classic bladder exstrophy, a variant of the exstrophy-epispadias complex (EEC). The defect was covered with sterile silicon gauzes and waterproof dressing; at 72 hours of life, primary closure without osteotomy of bladder, pelvis, and abdominal wall was successfully performed. Discussion EEC incidence is approximately 2.15 per 1,00,000 live births; several urological, musculocutaneous, spinal, orthopedic, gastrointestinal, and gynecological anomalies may be associated to EEC. Initial medical management includes use of occlusive dressings to prevent air contact and dehydration of the open bladder template. Umbilical catheters should not be positioned. Surgical repair stages include initial closure of the bladder and abdominal wall with or without osteotomy, followed by epispadias repair at 6 to 12 months, and bladder neck repair around 5 years of life. Those who fail to attain continence eventually undergo bladder augmentation and placement of a catheterizable conduit. Conclusion Modern-staged repair of EEC guarantees socially acceptable urinary continence in up to 80% of cases; sexual function can be an issue in the long term, but overall quality of life can be good.