Bladder Exstrophy
Other Possible Reconstruction Surgeries
Other Possible Reconstruction Surgeries
Hernias (Inguinal)
Hernias occur when there is a part of the intestine that sticks out through the abdominal muscle. This often looks like a small bulge. For children, this will often occur near the groin, which is called an inguinal hernia. It is also common to occur in the belly button, which is called an umbilical hernia. Particularly, with bladder exstrophy, inguinal hernias are common due to abnormalities with the abdominal wall and the connective tissue. Outpatient surgery can be performed to fix this issue and the child is often sent home the same day. Sometimes hernias are fixed alongside other major procedures, such as the Complete Primary Repair.
- + Bladder Stones
Ureteral Reimplantation
Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is the abnormal backward flow of urine from the bladder up to the kidney(s). Ureteral reimplantation corrects VUR by repositioning the ureters within the bladder so that the urine flows only in one direction, from kidney to bladder. Urine can flow backwards into the kidneys with the potential for causing damage if the ureter is incorrectly connected to the bladder. This is a procedure that should only last a few house and your child will exit surgery with one or more drainage tubes for a few days. The hospital stay is usually two to four days.
- + Bladder Spasms
- + Reflex Surgery
- + Genital Reconstruction
- + Penile Augmentation
- + Epispadias Repair
- + Bladder Neck Ligation
Bladder Augmentation
A bladder augmentation surgery may be recommended in some cases to assist incontinence, protect the kidneys from bladder pressure being too high, and potentially assist in eliminating vesicoureteral reflux. Typically, the surgeon will use a small portion of the child’s intestine as a patch that is secured to the bladder. The operation will increase the volume inside the bladder and decreases pressure for the storage of urine to be safer. The byproduct of this is that the drainage from the kidneys will be improved as well. Talk to your doctor if your child may need this procedure.
- + Cath/Stoma
Suprapubic Catherization/Urostomy
At some point in your child’s development, your doctor will likely bring up the topic of considering a catheter stoma for the purpose of being able to fully empty the bladder and prevent bladder and urinary tract infections. It might seem like a difficult and scary thing to consider, but this is likely going to be in the best interest of the child and will likely give them the best chance at keeping their urinary tract healthy and safe from any sort of damage.
- + Bladder Spasms
- + Reflex Surgery
- + Genital Reconstruction
- + Penile Augmentation
- + Epispadias Repair
- + Bladder Neck Ligation
Penile Reconstruction
At the time of the closure surgery, boys will require reconstruction of the penis and urethra. Some will require a penile reconstruction later in life to revise or repair scars that remain from the original surgery or to straighten/and or lengthen the penis. While this procedure can be performed at any time, it is usually performed in adolescence or young adulthood.
- + Cath/Stoma
