Modified Young-Dees-Leadbetter bladder neck reconstruction in patients with successful primary bladder closure...

Achievement of urinary continence in patients with the exstrophy-epispadias complex remains a challenge. We reviewed our experience with the modified Young-Dees-Leadbetter bladder neck repair in patients with bladder exstrophy who underwent primary bladder closure elsewhere.

We retrospectively reviewed exstrophy charts and database of 57 male and 11 female with classic bladder exstrophy who underwent bladder neck repair at our institute and successful primary bladder closure elsewhere during the last 2 decades. Osteotomy was performed at primary closure in 14 (20%) cases and 9 (13%) patients at bladder neck repair in 9 (13%) to aid in stabilizing the urethra and pelvic ring, and to help reapproximate the pelvic floor musculature facilitating urinary continence.

Primary closure was done within 72 hours of life elsewhere in 41 (60%) patients, and between ages 72 hours and 5 years (most during the first month of life) in 27. Paraexstrophy skin flaps were used in 33 (48%) cases, and the most common complication was bladder outlet obstruction of the posterior urethra secondary to the skin flaps. Of the 68 patients 57 (83%) are continent and voiding per urethra without need for augmentation or clean intermittent catheterization, 9 (13%) required clean intermittent catheterization including 7 who underwent continent urinary diversion after failed bladder neck repair, and 2 are still incontinent due to a severe posterior urethral stricture. Urinary retention was the most common symptom after bladder neck repair which resolved following catheter dilation or prolonged suprapubic catheter drainage.

Successful early primary closure of a good bladder template is the most important determinant of eventual bladder capacity and compliance.