Is Concealed Epispadias a Rare Variant?

To present our experience with concealed epispadias and to estimate its actual share in the isolated male epispadias cases and its effect on the surgical outcome.

Consecutive patients with isolated male epispadias treated in our center between 2008 and 2015 were classified into concealed and classic epispadias. The 2 groups were compared regarding age at presentation, meatal location, incontinence, dorsal curvature, success rate, and complications.

Out of 51 patients with isolated male epispadias, 11 (21.6%) were concealed: 7 balanic and 4 penile shaft epispadias. Concealed epispadias cases were found to have significantly delayed age at presentation, more distal meatal location, and less incontinence rate than classic epispadias cases. None of the surgical outcome parameters showed significant difference between the 2 groups.

Concealed epispadias represents about one-fifth of isolated male epispadias cases. Impediment and delay of diagnosis are its main clinical impacts, with insignificant effect on the surgical outcome.