Renal function in continent patients after surgical closure of bladder exstrophy

We assessed the upper urinary tracts and renal function in 22 children who had achieved continence after staged correction of bladder exstrophy. All patients had been followed for an average of 8 years after completion of the reconstructive operation. In 15 patients the upper urinary tract was normal and only 1 of the remaining 7 required surgical correction (transureteroureterostomy) of the residual anomaly. Renal function was normal in all children. We attribute these satisfactory results to careful selection of patients, improved surgical techniques and good postoperative care.