What are Epispadias? What is Bladder Exstrophy? Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Epispadias is a rare external organ development disorder. Bladder exstrophy is a congenital structural disorder.

Epispadias is the name given to the opening of the external urethra, which we call urethra, to the upper part of the penis (dorsaline) or to a part of the penis to the bladder instead of the normal penis end. Bladder exstrophy is the opening of the bladder and the bladder due to congenital malformations of the anterior abdominal wall. Epispadias is often associated with bladder exstrophy. Concomitant ureter and kidney abnormalities can be seen. In addition, there may be additional anomalies such as rectus diastasis, bifid clitoris, and split labia. Both bladder exstrophy and epispadias occur in the womb due to the defect during the development of both the bladder and the urethral tube. It is 5 times more common in men. It is seen in approximately one in 30 thousand births.

If a good observation is made when the child is born, it is noticed by the health care provider or the family and sent to the relevant center. The diagnosis is made by detailed physical examination and is sufficient. However, it is important to perform a whole abdominal ultrasonography to see if there are additional urinary tract abnormalities.

The treatment of these anomalies is surgical. First of all, epispadias and bladder exstrophy surgery should definitely be performed by an experienced urological surgical team who knows and deals with this job. The first chance of the patient should be evaluated well and, if possible, repeated surgery should not be performed due to failure.

Surgical procedure can be waited up to 2 years of age only if there is epispadias. However, if there is an accompanying bladder exstrophy, surgery as early as possible increases the chance of success. Basically, 3 procedures are performed in surgery. The first of these is the closure of the bladder exstrophy, the second is the repair of the bladder neck to prevent urine leakage, and the third is the repair of the urethra, i.e. epispadias. It is a long operation. Additional surgeries may be required in complicated cases.