[Results of bladder and urethra reconstruction for exstrophy]

Sixty-one patients with classical bladder exstrophy were seen at our institution over the last twenty-two-years. Five patients underwent primary urinary diversion, in six reconstruction according Couvelaire--Arap method was attempted without success. For fifty patients a staged approach to functional closure was elected. A review of the success, failures and complications provides the bases for treatment now being used on new patients. The technical aspects of this treatment that provide the best chance for continence without renal damage and satisfactory external genitalia are discussed. An excellent surgical result, defined as achievement of a day time dry interval for 3 hours with normal social life and without renal damage was achieved in 74% of children (100% of girls).