Orthopaedic Management of Bladder Exstrophy

Bladder exstrophy is an embryologic malformation that affects urogenital and skeletal systems. Non-operative treatment of this rare problem is impossible. Urogenital reconstructions can be facilitated by orthopedic procedures. These reconstructions can be performed in a single stage as a complete repair or multi-stage approaches. The goal of the treatment is closure of the bladder and abdominal wall for the achievement of continence, preservation of renal functions, and cosmetic and functional reconstruction of genital organs. Orthopedic procedures are performed to decrease the tension that complicates the bladder and abdominal wall closure by approximating the pubic rami to achieve a secure closure and a low recurrence rate. Surgical interventions consist of the approximation of the pubic rami with different materials such as suture materials and plaque or the application of different osteotomy types such as posterior iliac, anterior pelvic (pubic), diagonal iliac, horizontal iliac and posterior pelvic resection osteotomies. The age of the patient, the amount of pubic diastasis and history of previous operations that the patient has undergone should be considered during the operation planning. Pubic rami can be approximated without performing pelvic osteotomy in patients who are operated within the first 72 hours after birth. But, osteotomy is required in children older than 2 years of age with severe pubic diastasis, concomitant cloacal exstrophy and unsuccessful operation history. The surgical team should have enough knowledge and experience to perform different osteotomy types in case of need to combine anterior and posterior iliac osteotomies. With these multidisciplinary approaches, much more successful outcomes could be achieved.