Long-term followup of 207 patients with bladder exstrophy: an evolution in treatment

Between 1945 and 1985 a total of 207 patients (male-to-female ratio 2:1) was treated at our institution for exstrophy of the bladder. Primary anatomical bladder closure was performed in 137 patients, of whom 42 (31 per cent) eventually required urinary diversion. Primary urinary diversion was the initial treatment in 70 patients, including ureterosigmoidostomy in 40, ileal conduit in 17, colon conduit in 11 and cutaneous ureterostomy in 2. Secondary urinary diversion was necessary in 35 patients and included continent diversion in 7. Primary anatomical bladder closure, done within 72 hours of birth and followed by staged reconstruction of the bladder neck, was the most successful surgical regimen for the treatment of bladder exstrophy. Acceptable urinary continence was achieved in 82 per cent of our patients with this approach. However, multiple procedures often were required to achieve continence.