Clinical course of surgical treatment of bladder exstrophy

Bladder exstrophy is a rare and complex congenital malformation, characterized by an opening of the bladder through the abdominal wall and often associated with pelvic and genital anomalies. Treatment is based on early reconstructive surgery, with the aim of achieving bladder closure, preserving renal function, acquiring continence and restoring functional genitalia. In the medium term, children generally show functional improvement, but complete continence remains difficult to achieve, sometimes necessitating reintervention or intermittent catheterization. Kidney function is generally preserved, but needs to be closely monitored, and some suffer from late complications or persistent leakage. Psychosocial aspects, linked to body image and social integration, represent a major challenge, underlining the importance of prolonged multidisciplinary follow-up.This book offers an in-depth analysis of these clinical evolutions and the associated therapeutic perspectives.