Introduction: The Radical soft-tissue mobilisation (RSTM) described by J.H. Kelly for bladder exstrophy repair implies a detachment of levator ani muscle insertions from the pelvic wall. The aim of this controlled study was to evaluate the impact of this procedure on subsequent anorectal function.
Methods: Monocentric controlled study of prospectively collected data of children who underwent RSTM for BEEC from 2010 to 2017. Patients born after 2017 were not included, as they were below the theoretical age of continence acquisition at the time of the study. Anorectal function was assessed using the Childhood Bladder and Bowel Dysfunction Questionnaire, and quality of life (QoL) related to fecal continence using the CINCY FIS questionnaire. The control group was paired on age and sex with a 1:3 patient/control ratio. Answers to questionnaires were collected from September 2021 to January 2022. Univariate statistical analysis comparing two groups and subgroup analysis following age were also performed.
Results: During the period of study, 55 children with BEEC underwent Kelly RSTM. Twenty-seven (49%) were included and paired with 81 healthy children on age and sex. Median age at surgery was 15 months [0.5-93] and median follow-up was 10 years [4-13]. Patient's group median age at evaluation was 11 years [5-19]. There was no difference between patients and control group in anorectal function for both incontinence and constipation items. No significant difference was found in QoL related to fecal incontinence assessment. Subgroup analysis did not show difference.
Conclusion: This study suggests that the levator ani detachment during Kelly procedure, realised in a paediatric population under the age of 8, did not impact anorectal function with a mid-term follow-up.
Level of evidence: III.
Keywords: Anorectal function; Bladder exstrophy; Children; Epispadias; Fecal incontinence; Kelly procedure; Levator ani; Quality of life.
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