Purpose: Retrospective evaluation of operative techniques and perioperative management as related to the primary anatomical and functional situation as well as analysis of the preliminary postoperative results regarding kidney function, continence and complications.
Materials and methods: From October 1992 to April 2003, 21 patients with bladder exstrophy-epispadias complex were treated, consisting of 12 children with untreated exstrophy and 9 who had undergone unsuccessful previous operations. Single-stage complete repair using the Erlangen concept was done during the first weeks of life in 8 infants and before school age in 3 children. One 13 year old girl had received a primary Mainz pouch II. The 9 unsuccessfully operated patients required a variety of different operations. The mean follow-up of 17 regularly controlled children was 62 months (range 3 to 129 months).
Results: In all children global kidney function remained stable, while reflux or obstruction was responsible for impaired unilateral split function ranging between 31 % and 45 % in 5. Four children were continent day and night after complete single-stage repair, 4 after ureterosigmoidostomy or Mainz pouch II and 5 after augmentation.
Conclusions: In the newborn with previously untreated exstrophy-epispadias, we recommend single-stage complete functional reconstruction within the first weeks of life. Continence without loss of kidney function can be achieved in 50 % of these children. If adequate bladder capacity and continence cannot be achieved, an augmentation procedure or Mainz pouch II is our method of choice.