LOSS OF URETHROVAGINAL SEPTUM AS A COMPLICATION OF EXSTROPHY CLOSURE IN GIRLS

Purpose: The aim of this study was to report complications involving p araexstrophy skin flaps in the female bladder exstrophy closure. Mater ials and Methods: Bladder exstrophies in three female patients were in itially closed using paraexstrophy skin flaps, with an osteotomy being performed in only 1 patient. A dehiscence occurred in all, and a recl osure was performed at a mean of 10 (range: 7-18) months after the ini tial closure. Results: Two patients underwent successful reclosure and are awaiting bladder neck reconstruction. The third patient, who had complete procidentia, had a bladder which failed to grow after success ful reclosure and underwent augmentation cystoplasty. Conclusions: Clo sure of bladder exstrophy in female patients using paraexstrophy skin flaps can be associated with an increased complication rate and should be used judiciously in the exstrophy patient.