Bilateral anterior pubic osteotomy in bladder exstrophy repair: report of increasing success

Oblique pelvic osteotomy in the treatment of bladder exstrophy in neonates

Bladder exstrophy is a congenital and rare malformation of the lower abdominal wall with exposure of the bladder mucosa to the external environment, and it is related to pelvis abnormalities. Eighteen patients with bladder exstrophy were treated with bilateral oblique pelvic osteotomy in conjunction with urologic reconstruction after they were stabilized by cast. No failure of midline closure was observed (wound dehiscence or recurrence of bladder exstrophy). Follow-up showed no leg length discrepancy or problems in walking. Bilateral oblique pelvic osteotomy is a safe procedure to treat bladder exstrophy, and it results in good orthopedic and urological function.

A retrospective analysis of early experience with modified complete primary repair of exstrophy bladder (CPRE) in neonates and children

Objective:

To study the problems faced during the surgery and follow-up of modified complete primary repair of exstrophy (CPRE) technique. Initial experience with CPRE and its short- and long-term outcomes with respect to continence status and psychosocial impact are reported.

Materials and Methods:

A retrospective review of the hospital case records from March 2008 to September 2012 was performed. Data of patients with bladder exstrophy managed by a single paediatric surgeon using modified CPRE technique were analysed. Quality of life and psychosocial impact of the surgery were assessed using Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL 4.0) and compared with those of typical peers.

Results:

Eight children (age 4 days-12 years) underwent CPRE using modified Mitchell's technique. Two patients (25%) experienced early postoperative complications, with infection and fistula developing in one each. All the patients were doing well on follow-up, with variable continence rates and good cosmesis. Mean duration of follow-up was 18.5 months (range 6 months-4 years). Five out of seven (71%) children were continent or partially continent. One case was lost to follow-up. PedsQL scores were comparable with those of age-matched peers in all domains except the social functioning domain in 8-12 years age group (83.53 ± 9.70 vs. 77.86 ± 10.22, P < 0.05).

Conclusion:

Our preliminary results with modified CPRE in neonates and children have been encouraging. No major complications were observed. Continence rate was satisfactory and cosmetic results were good. Though the technique is being practiced at several Indian centres, there is a paucity of comprehensive Indian data on CPRE.

Bony abnormalities in classic bladder exstrophy: the urologist's perspective

INTRODUCTION

As the primary practitioner managing patients with classic bladder exstrophy (CBE), it is incumbent upon the pediatric urologist to understand the associated orthopedic anomalies and their management.

METHODS

A Pubmed search was performed with the keyword exstrophy. Resulting literature pertaining to orthopedics and published references were reviewed.

RESULTS

Anatomic changes to the bony pelvis include outward rotation, acetabular retroversion with compensatory femoral anteversion, anterior pubic shortening, and pubic diastasis. Imaging options have improved, which impacts surgical planning. Surgical approach, including type of osteotomy and method of pubic approximation, is evolving. Most centers employ immobilization after surgery, with external fixation, Bryant's traction, Buck's traction, and spica casting being the most common methods. Orthopedic complications range from minor pin-site infections to neurologic and vascular compromise. Most experts agree osteotomy aids bladder closure beyond 72 h of life, but effect on continence remains controversial. Although no significant orthopedic benefit has been expounded, it may be too early to appreciate improvement in frequency or severity of osteoarthritis or hip dysplasia.

CONCLUSION

While orthopedic surgeons remain vital to managing exstrophy patients, knowledge of the anatomy, imaging, surgical approaches, and immobilization enable effective communication with parents and other physicians, improving care for these complicated patients.

Closure of bladder exstrophy with a bilateral anterior pubic osteotomy: Revival of an old technique

Objective

To evaluate the results of simple closure using bilateral anterior pubic osteotomy to achieve a tension-free approximation of the pubis and abdominal wall in patients with bladder exstrophy.

Patients and methods

A prospective study carried out between 2006 and 2009 included 15 patients (13 boys and 2 girls; age range 3–47 months). Of these patients, three had recurrent exstrophy while 10 were operated primarily. An elective surgical technique was used for all patients, which included dissection of the exstrophic bladder from the abdominal wall, closure of the bladder and reconstruction of the urethra, then dissection of the rectus muscle and sheath lateral to the attachment of muscle to pubic bone, which makes osteotomy of the superior pubic ramus easy, thus facilitating closure.

Results

For closure of the bladder and anterior abdominal wall the results were excellent for all patients soon after surgery, but there was soft-tissue infection in two patients. Of all 15 patients, one had incomplete bladder dehiscence and another had a vesico-cutaneous fistula; both needed surgical intervention later.

Conclusions

Simple closure with anterior pubic osteotomy is a feasible and effective means to facilitate both bladder and abdominal closure for patients with bladder exstrophy. It is advantageous in being a rapid procedure, and can be completed by the paediatric urologist.

Repeat pelvic osteotomy in patients with failed closure of bladder exstrophy: applications and outcomes

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

In patients with failed primary or secondary closure of bladder exstrophy, repeat osteotomy is useful in facilitating reconstruction. The clinical consequences of repeated surgical disruption of the pelvic ring have not been carefully described, however.

METHODS

We reviewed our experience with exstrophy patients who had undergone repeat pelvic osteotomy (RPO) and analyzed patient history, complications, and orthopedic outcomes.

RESULTS

Fifty-six patients who underwent RPO were identified. All had previously failed at least one attempted bladder closure. The patients underwent RPO at a mean age of 23.2 months. The mean time from initial osteotomy to RPO was 20.5 months. Anterior innominate or combined iliac/innominate approaches comprised 80% of RPO procedures. Of the patients, 95% had a normal gait after RPO; all 3 patients with an abnormal gait had osteotomy site nonunion, which was treated with bone grafting. Five patients had local fixator pin site infections, which were managed with local care and oral antibiotics, and 1 patient had late osteomyelitis requiring incision and drainage. No patient had femoral or sciatic nerve palsy after RPO at our institution.

CONCLUSIONS

Orthopedic complications after RPO are uncommon, and most patients have a normal gait postoperatively. Repeat pelvic osteotomy is useful in the complex reconstruction of failed exstrophy closures, and few cases fail reclosure when the reconstruction is combined with RPO.

A Novel Technique for Approximation of the Symphysis Pubis in Bladder Exstrophy Without Pelvic Osteotomy

PURPOSE

We evaluated the outcome of pubic bone approximation and internal fixation using a miniature metal plate and screws without osteotomy in children with bladder exstrophy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 17 children with bladder exstrophy underwent surgery. Mean patient age was 27 months. Of the patients 15 had a history of 1 or more failed bladder closures with or without osteotomy. All children underwent bladder closure and complete posterior and anterior urethroplasty with bladder neck wrap. Both ureteral orifices were brought together by the Gil-Vernet antireflux procedure. The pubes were brought together with 3 deeply placed 1 mm polyglactin sutures through the bone and fixed by placing a miniature metal plate with 6 to 7 screws. Patients remained in a frog leg bandage for 1 to 3 weeks. The plate was removed during additional surgery. Median followup was 61 months (range 14 to 71).

RESULTS

All children had an uneventful postoperative period without any serious complications, except for skin erosion caused by a screw without bone infection in 1 patient, and miniature plate subluxation following cystoscopy for reinsertion of urethral catheter 3 days after initial surgery in 1. Operating time and hospital stay were significantly lower than in children undergoing osteotomy or Bryant's traction. Overall continence rate was 53.8%.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the number of patients is low, these results are promising. Pubic bone adaptation with miniature plate fixation without any type of osteotomy or leg traction is safe and less invasive than bilateral osteotomy and postoperative leg traction or plaster.

Female Exstrophy: Failure of Initial Reconstruction and its Implications for Continence

PURPOSE

Bladder exstrophy is a rare malformation affecting only 1 female out of every 5 patients. In the female initial closure is combined with reconstruction of the outer genitalia, and urinary continence can be achieved by some girls without the need for later bladder neck reconstruction. We evaluated the management and outcome of failed initial closures in the female exstrophy population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a retrospective database review of patients with the exstrophy complex. Females with classic bladder exstrophy with failure of initial closure were identified. Age at initial closure, use of osteotomies, reasons for failure and number of closures, as well as definitive treatment and long-term outcomes were evaluated.

RESULTS

Of 71 females with classic bladder exstrophy 14 had failure of initial closure. Of these patients 1 had undergone initial closure at our institution and 13 were referred for reclosure. Mean followup was 6.5 years (range 3 to 12) and mean age was 10 years (4 to 14). The patients underwent a maximum of 3 closures (mean 2.4). Initial osteotomies were performed in 4 patients, no osteotomy in 8 and status was unknown in 2. Reason for initial failure was dehiscence in 11 patients and prolapse in 3. Five patients underwent a second closure elsewhere. On referral reclosure was successful using osteotomies in all patients. Bladder neck reconstruction was done in 5 patients (3 are daytime continent) and continent diversion in 4 (all are dry). The other patients are awaiting final treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

The single most important step to achieve urinary continence is successful initial bladder and posterior urethral closure. Pelvic osteotomies ensure a tension-free closure and enhance bladder outlet resistance. Radical mobilization of the vesicourethral complex allows placement of the bladder deep within the pelvis. Failure of the initial closure in the female exstrophy population has a severe impact on long-term outcome and quality of life.

Hypospadias and bladder exstrophy

Reconstructive surgery for patients with hypospadias, bladder exstrophy and cloacal exstrophy is challenging. Over the last few years, more and more data have become available concerning incidence and epidemiology, as well as short- and long-term results of surgical techniques. The tubularized incised plate urethroplasty for hypospadias repair continues to gain in popularity. However, the results of long-term studies of larger series supporting this enthusiasm are still missing. Buccal mucosa is more frequently used in complex hypospadias cases with good short- and long-term results. The one-stage approach of exstrophy repair seems to be promising. However, failures, which require very complex reconstructions, are also reported. Urodynamic studies demonstrated severe abnormalities of bladder function even in continent patients. Therefore, one must question the normality of voiding patterns, and the price to be paid in achieving continence for patients with exstrophy. Achievement of continence for urine and stool is possible for patients with cloacal exstrophy. The colon should be preserved and should not be used for bladder or vaginal reconstruction. The incidence of neoplasia in patients with bladder exstrophy seems to be higher than expected. However, only one cohort study is presently available.