F Perren1, P Frey. 1. Department of Pediatric Surgery, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The exstrophy-epispadias complex in combination with a duplicated lower urinary tract is an extremely rare congenital malformation. We describe 2 cases of bladder exstrophy in association with a duplicated lower urinary tract. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed the case histories of 2 patients. The first case had anteroposterior duplication of the bladder communicating through an isthmus and a duplicate urethra. The anterior system was exstrophic and epispadiac. The second case had a duplicate bladder without epispadias. There was a communication between the anterior exstrophic and posterior normal bladders. No other malformations were present. RESULTS: Both patients underwent excision of the duplicate exstrophic bladder in conjunction with primary closure of the abdominal wall. Postoperative continence was normal. Histological examination confirmed the diagnosed bladder duplication. CONCLUSIONS: Although duplication of the lower urinary tract in combination with the exstrophy-epispadias complex is extremely rare, all children presenting with an exstrophic bladder and a normal urethra alone or in association with an epispadiac anterior urethra should be evaluated for a bladder duplication with possible isthmic communication.
PURPOSE: The exstrophy-epispadias complex in combination with a duplicated lower urinary tract is an extremely rare congenital malformation. We describe 2 cases of bladder exstrophy in association with a duplicated lower urinary tract. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed the case histories of 2 patients. The first case had anteroposterior duplication of the bladder communicating through an isthmus and a duplicate urethra. The anterior system was exstrophic and epispadiac. The second case had a duplicate bladder without epispadias. There was a communication between the anterior exstrophic and posterior normal bladders. No other malformations were present. RESULTS: Both patients underwent excision of the duplicate exstrophic bladder in conjunction with primary closure of the abdominal wall. Postoperative continence was normal. Histological examination confirmed the diagnosed bladder duplication. CONCLUSIONS: Although duplication of the lower urinary tract in combination with the exstrophy-epispadias complex is extremely rare, all children presenting with an exstrophic bladder and a normal urethra alone or in association with an epispadiac anterior urethra should be evaluated for a bladder duplication with possible isthmic communication.