MALE EPISPADIAS: EXPERIENCE WITH 45 CASES

Abstract

PURPOSE: We evaluate the long-term results of surgery for isolated (without exstrophy) male epispadias. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 45 male patients with isolated epispadias were treated and followed at Debrousse Hospital between 1971 and 1993, 8 in whom repairs performed elsewhere had failed and 14 had total urinary incontinence. Incontinence was treated with a modified Young-Dees reconstruction of the bladder neck and the ureters were reimplanted in all cases. Long-term followup was available in 18 cases of a Cantwell-Young-Gross, 4 Duplay, 7 full thickness skin graft, 1 bladder graft and 10 Cantwell-Ransley urethroplasties. Penile reconstruction was performed using a 2-stage procedure in 8 patients (freeing of the corpora followed by urethroplasty), and an isolated urethroplasty in 13. All other patients underwent a single stage repair combining dissection of the penis and urethroplasty. RESULTS: All patients were reassessed clinically. Of 13 incontinent patients followed for 1 to 20 years 11 acquired continence, 1 remains incontinent and 1 underwent a repeat procedure recently. Urethroplasty was immediately satisfactory in 66% of the cases, minor complications developed in 25% and serious complications (especially free graft urethroplasty) developed in 10%. Assessment of genital cosmesis is subjective but it was considered acceptable in most cases. All 29 patients with long-term followup had erections, 24 performed regular sexual intercourse, 17 had normal ejaculations and 4 fathered children. CONCLUSIONS: The principles described by Cantwell-Young and Gross, and modified by Ransley, have considerably improved penile reconstruction. Free graft and Duplay urethroplasties provided unacceptable results in our series. Our results of surgery for incontinence associated with isolated male epispadias (84%) were better than for male exstrophy (63%).