Single-stage Female Epispadias Repair by Combined Infrasymphyseal Bladder Neck Plication and Urethrogenitoplasty: A Novel Technique

Objective: To evaluate the role of infrasymphyseal bladder neck plication and suspension from the pubic bone along with urethrogenitoplasty as a single-stage procedure for treating isolated cases of female epispadias.

Materials and methods: Six patients with female epispadias having grade 3 urinary incontinence were treated through bladder neck plication and suspension from the pubic bone along with urethrogenitoplasty from December 2013 to March 2016.

Results: Of the 6 patients with a mean age of 5.91 years (3-10 years) and a mean postoperative follow-up of 13.17 months (4-29 months), 5 patients stopped wearing diapers and were fully continent with a dry period of more than 3 hours from the first week of catheter removal. One patient experienced urine leakage while playing or crying in the initial postoperative period. However, this patient became continent with a dry period of more than 3 hours after 4 months of follow-up. All patients had an excellent cosmetic outcome without any considerable postoperative complications. All patients were voiding well without significant postvoid residual urine.

Conclusion: The present technique is simple, safe, and effective for achieving urinary continence in patients with female epispadias.