Epispadias: contending with continence

Forty-seven patients with epispadias not associated with bladder exstrophy were treated at our institution over the last half decade. There were 8 female and 39 male patients, 37 of whom had retrosymphyseal epispadias. Of the 20 male patients with subsymphyseal epispadias and incontinence 13 had a fair to excellent result. Of the 7 females with retrosymphyseal epispadias and incontinence, all but 1 came to urinary diversion. An analysis of our data suggests that premature operative intervention precludes obtaining maximal functional and cosmetic results. In addition, the discrepancy in our overall success rate utilizing a one-stage technique versus a staged procedure favored by others may support the latter.