Genital prolapse in adult women with classical bladder exstrophy

The aim of this paper is to study the incidence and risk factors for genital prolapse in adult women with bladder exstrophy and to describe the long-term outcome of the Gore-Tex wrap procedure for genital prolapse.

A retrospective observational study on adult women with classical bladder exstrophy in a tertiary referral centre for disorders of sex development, including complex urogenital anomalies. Medical notes were reviewed and a confidential postal questionnaire on urinary continence and symptoms of prolapse was carried out.

Fifty-two women with bladder exstrophy and a mean age of 39 years (range 23 to 63) were identified, of whom 27 patients (52%) developed pelvic organ prolapse. Twenty-three out of 27 (85%) were treated surgically while only 4 patients were managed expectantly. Risk factors for prolapse included pregnancy in 10 (37%) patients and introitoplasty in 1 patient (4%). Of the 23 women treated surgically, 16 (70%) were treated using a Gore-Tex wrap, while 7 had other surgical procedures including colposuspension and hysterosacrocolpopexy. In the Gore-Tex wrap group, 12 out of 16 patients (75%) had had a successful result after the first repair compared with 2 out of the 7 patients (28%) in the group treated using other procedures. Mean follow-up was 8 years (range 1-15). One patient developed an infection after the procedure and another patient had Gore-Tex erosion.

Prolapse is a common gynaecological complaint in adult women with bladder exstrophy and the majority will require treatment. At present the Gore-Tex wrap offers good results with a low rate of serious complications.