Delayed primary closure of bladder exstrophy without osteotomy: 12 year experience in a safe and gentle alternative to neonatal surgery

An Analysis of the Efficacy of Multilayered Repair and Reconstruction Using Combined Tissue Pedicle Flaps for Abdominal Wall Defects in Adult Bladder Exstrophy Patients

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we conducted a retrospective analysis of cases involving adult classic bladder exstrophy (CBE) accompanied by the absence of the abdominal wall. Specifically, we focused on the utilization of multilayer flaps for reconstructive purposes. In addition, we aimed to share our clinical treatment experience pertaining to similar challenges, thereby providing valuable insights to complement the surgical management of this rare disease.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis of 12 adult patients diagnosed with CBE who underwent initial treatment between June 2013 and January 2020. All patients underwent multilayer reconstruction to address their abdominal wall defects. This involved utilizing shallow flaps derived from the superficial fascia of the abdomen and incorporating myofascial flaps composed of the anterior sheath of the rectus abdominis and aponeurosis of the external oblique muscle. The flap sizes ranged from 9 × 11 cm to 13 × 15 cm.

RESULTS

Abdominal wall reconstruction in the 12 patients with CBE resulted in an absence of wound dehiscence recurrence, urinary obstruction, or urinary tract infection. All patients expressed satisfaction with the aesthetic outcome of their abdominal wall based on self-evaluation. They reported a successful resumption of normal life and work activities without experiencing any restrictions. The married patients expressed contentment with their sexual function.

CONCLUSION

The utilization of a multilayered reconstruction technique involving multiple flaps in adults with congenital CBE allows for successful restoration of urinary function, as well as the attainment of sufficient abdominal wall strength to support daily life and work activities, while preserving sexual function. However, it is important to approach the evaluation of surgical outcomes with caution because of the rarity of this condition and the lack of objective assessment measures.

Classic Bladder Exstrophy Closure Without Osteotomy or Immobilization: An Exercise in Futility?

OBJECTIVE

To review the outcomes of classic bladder exstrophy (CBE) closure without the use of osteotomy or lower extremity/pelvic immobilization.

METHODS

A prospectively maintained institutional approved exstrophy-epispadias complex database of 1487 patients was reviewed for patients with CBE who had undergone closure without osteotomy nor immobilization. All patients were referred to the authors' institution for reconstruction later in life or for failed closure.

RESULTS

Of a total of 1016 CBE patients, 56 closure events were identified that met inclusion with a total of 47 unique patients. Thirty-eight closures were completed prior to 1990 (67.9%). Forty-five closure events developed eventual failure (45/56, 80.4%) (Table 1). Thirteen closure events were secondary closures (13/56, 23.2%). The primary closure failure rate was 83.7% (36/43) while the secondary closure failure rate was 69.2% (9/13). Failures were attributed to one or more of dehiscence, bladder prolapse, and vesicocutaneous fistula (25/45, 55.6%) (23/45, 51.1%) (6/45, 13.3%), respectively. Thirty-seven patients developed social continence (37/47, 78.7%), while only 8 patients developed spontaneous voided continence (7/47,17.0%) (Table 2). The most common methods of voiding were continent catheterizable channels (25/47, 53.2%) of which all were socially continent.

CONCLUSION

These results illustrate the critical role osteotomy and postoperative immobilization can play in both primary and secondary exstrophy closure. While this is a historical case series, the authors believe that these results remain relevant to contemporary exstrophy surgeons.

The outcome and complications of modern staged repair surgery in newborns with classic bladder exstrophy in different genders: A retrospective study

INTRODUCTION

Classic bladder exstrophy (CBE) is a rare anterior midline birth defect that remains a challenge for pediatric surgeons. Despite multiple reconstructive methods, outcomes vary widely in various reports. This study aims to compare the success rate and complications of modern staged repair of exstrophy (MSRE) in each gender and compare together.

METHODS

This retrospective cross-sectional study included cases of CBE between 2010 and 2020 that underwent MSRE. Short-term follow-up results, including incontinence rate, vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), urinary infections, deformed genitalia, and so on, were measured in each gender, and their differences were reported.

RESULTS

Among the 40 newborns with CBE who underwent MSRE, 25 (62.5%) were boys, while the others had non-male genitalia. The rates of incontinence, VUR, dehiscence, and fistulas did not differ significantly between genders. However, chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs) were more frequent in girls, and boys were more likely to have malformed genitalia (p < .05).

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate a similar rate of complications in each gender. However, chronic UTIs and external genitalia deformities were significantly more common in girls and boys, respectively. Further large-sized controlled trials may be needed to corroborate these findings.

Achieving goal capacity for continence surgery: A cumulative event analysis of bladder exstrophy patients

BACKGROUND

Following successful closure of patients with classic bladder exstrophy (CBE), the next major milestone is the establishment of urinary continence. Prior to determining the most appropriate continence surgery, it is imperative to reach an adequate bladder capacity minimum of 100 cc in order to make the decision between bladder neck reconstruction (BNR) or continent stoma, with or without augmentation cystoplasty (AC).

OBJECTIVE

To examine the timing of when patients achieve threshold bladder capacity for BNR eligibility. We hypothesize most patients will achieve an adequate bladder capacity (100 cc) by 7 years old when continence surgeries will begin to be considered.

STUDY DESIGN

An institutional database of 1388 exstrophy patients was retrospectively reviewed for CBE patients after successful primary bladder closure. Bladder capacities were measured via gravity cystography and data presented as descriptive statistics. The cohort was stratified by location, neonatal (≤28 days) or delayed closure period and osteotomy status. The bladder capacities were categorized to either reaching goal or not and a cumulative event analysis was performed. The event being reaching 100 cc capacity or greater and time being the number of years between bladder closure and attainment of goal capacity.

RESULTS

253 patients met inclusion criteria between 1982 and 2019. The majority were of male gender (72.9%), had their closure performed at the authors' institution (52.5%), within the neonatal period (80.7%), and without an osteotomy (51.7%). 64.9% of patients reached goal bladder capacity. There were no significant differences in those who did or did not achieve goal except for clinical follow up. Cumulative event analysis demonstrated a median time of 5.73 years (95% CI 5.2-6.20) corresponded with a 50% event probability of reaching goal capacity. Cox-proportional hazards showed location of closure was significantly associated with hazards of reaching goal bladder capacity (HR = 0.58, CI 0.40-0.85, p = 0.005). Based on this model, the median time to event would be 5.20 years (95% CI 4.76-5.80) for cases done at the authors' hospital and 6.26 years for those performed at an outside hospital (95% CI 5.77-7.24).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings help surgeons counsel families appropriately on the odds of attaining goal capacity at various ages. For those who do not reach 100 cc by five years of age, it helps further characterize the odds of requiring a continent stoma with bladder augmentation and the best timing for reconstructive surgery in order to safely gain urinary continence. Families may also be assured that most patients would have the breadth of surgical options when it comes to continence as more than half of patients reached the bladder capacity threshold.

Complications of delayed and newborn primary closures of classic bladder exstrophy: Is there a difference?

INTRODUCTION

The authors aim to compare single institutional 30-day complication rates between delayed and neonatal closure of classic bladder exstrophy (CBE).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An institutional database of 1415 exstrophy-epispadias patients was reviewed retrospectively for CBE patients who underwent primary closures at the authors' institution between 1990 and 2020. Patients were identified as having received either neonatal or delayed (at age >28 days) closures. All 30-day complications were recorded, including wound infection and dehiscence, genitourinary and non-genitourinary infections, bowel obstruction, blood transfusions, and others. Descriptive statistics were performed to summarize patient level data. Categorical variables were reported by count and percentages and were compared using Exact Cochran-Armitage trend analysis by decade, or with Fisher's Exact Test and Chi-square test when directly comparing categories and outcomes. Continuous variables were analyzed via Mann Whitney U and one-way ANOVA as appropriate.

RESULTS

The cohort included 145 patients: 50 delayed and 95 neonatal closures. The total complication rate was 58% in delayed closures compared to 48.4% for neonatal closures (p = 0.298), with the majority being Clavien-Dindo grade I or II. Excluding blood transfusion, complication rates fell to 26% and 34.7% in delayed and neonatal closures, respectively (p = 0.349). The most common single complication was unplanned post-operative blood transfusion (38% delayed; 26.3% neonatal; p = 0.34), followed by pyelonephritis (2% delayed; 8.4% neonatal), and urinary fistula (6% delayed; 1.1% neonatal). Grade III Clavien-Dindo complications occurred in 2% delayed and 7.4% neonatal groups (n = 1; n = 7 respectively; p = 0.263). A single delayed patient had grade IV complications compared to three neonatal patients (p = 0.66).

CONCLUSIONS

Delayed primary closure has become a frequently performed alternative in the modern treatment of bladder exstrophy for patients who do not undergo newborn closure because of prohibitive circumstances or surgeon's discretion. The majority of the complications associated with delayed closure are a low Clavien-Dindo grade and easily managed during the postoperative inpatient hospital stay. Families should be counseled about the possibility of minor, conservatively managed complications and likelihood of a blood transfusion with osteotomy.