Complications after primary bladder exstrophy closure - role of pelvic osteotomy

Małgorzata Baka-Ostrowska1, Kinga Kowalczyk1, Karina Felberg1

  • 1Department of Pediatric Urology of the Children's Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw, Poland.

Insights

Pelvic osteotomy during bladder exstrophy repair significantly reduces wound complications like dehiscence and prolapse. This surgical technique is effective regardless of patient age and can be safely repeated if needed.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Urology
  • Surgical Innovation
  • Congenital Abnormalities

Background:

  • Bladder exstrophy is a rare congenital condition, part of the exstrophy-epispadias complex, affecting approximately 1 in 30,000 live births.
  • It occurs four times more frequently in males than females.
  • Iliac osteotomy is a surgical procedure employed to aid in the approximation of pubic bones and reduce tension during closure.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate complications following primary bladder exstrophy closure.
  • To specifically evaluate the impact and role of pelvic osteotomy in reducing these complications.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective study of 100 patients diagnosed with bladder exstrophy between 1982 and 2006.
  • Patients were treated at the Children's Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw, Poland.
  • Comparison between primary closure with and without iliac osteotomy, and outcomes based on surgical location.

Main Results:

  • Wound dehiscence and bladder prolapse occurred in 31 patients.
  • Patients operated elsewhere had a significantly higher rate of dehiscence (56%) compared to those operated at the institute (19%).
  • Primary closure with iliac osteotomy was performed in 32 infants within the first 72 hours of life.

Conclusions:

  • Performing osteotomy during primary bladder exstrophy closure decreases the risk of wound dehiscence.
  • The benefit of osteotomy is independent of the patient's age.
  • Posterior iliac osteotomy is a safe and sufficient procedure, with the possibility of repetition if necessary.
Abstract