Pelvic fracture urethral injuries in girls

PURPOSE: Injuries to the female urethra associated with pelvic fracture are uncommon. They may vary from urethral contusion to partial or circumferential rupture. When disruption has occurred at the level of the proximal urethra, it is usually complete and often associated with vaginal laceration. We retrospectively reviewed the records of a series of girls with pelvic fracture urethral stricture and present surgical treatment to restore urethral continuity and the outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1984 and 1997, 8 girls 4 to 16 years old (median age 9.6) with urethral injuries associated with pelvic fracture were treated at our institutions. Immediate therapy involved suprapubic cystostomy in 4 cases, urethral catheter alignment and simultaneous suprapubic cystostomy in 3, and primary suturing of the urethra, bladder neck and vagina in 1. Delayed 1-stage anastomotic repair was performed in 1 patient with urethral avulsion at the level of the bladder neck and in 5 with a proximal urethral distraction defect, while a neourethra was constructed from the anterior vaginal wall in a 2-stage procedure in 1 with mid urethral avulsion. Concomitant vaginal rupture in 7 cases was treated at delayed urethral reconstruction in 5 and by primary repair in 2. The surgical approach was retropubic in 3 cases, vaginal-retropubic in 1 and vaginal-transpubic in 4. Associated injuries included rectal injury in 3 girls and bladder neck laceration in 4. Overall postoperative followup was 6 months to 6.3 years (median 3 years). RESULTS: Urethral obliteration developed in all patients treated with suprapubic cystostomy and simultaneous urethral realignment. The stricture-free rate for 1-stage anastomotic repair and substitution urethroplasty was 100%. In 1 girl complete urinary incontinence developed, while another has mild stress incontinence. Retrospectively the 2 incontinent girls had had an associated bladder neck injury at the initial trauma. Two recurrent vaginal strictures were treated successfully with additional transpositions of lateral labial flaps. CONCLUSIONS: This study emphasizes that combined vaginal-partial transpubic access is a reliable approach for resolving complex obliterative urethral strictures and associated urethrovaginal fistulas or severe bladder neck damage after traumatic pelvic fracture injury in female pediatric patients. Although our experience with the initial management of these injuries is limited, we advocate early cystostomy drainage and deferred surgical reconstruction when life threatening clinical conditions are present or extensive traumatized tissue in the affected area precludes immediate ideal surgical repair.     

Our experience with salvage genitourinary fistulae repair: technique and outcomes

Objectives The objectives are to present the long-term results of vaginal reconstructive operations using the labial fat pad flap (Martius flap) interposition. Patients and methods Eight women, 27–65 years old (mean 40), suffering from urinary fistulae (five urethrovaginal and three vesicovaginal) who failed primary repair underwent salvage vaginal reconstruction for damaged urethra or bladder. Urethral or bladder and vaginal defect was closed and a Martius fat flap was interposed between urethra or bladder and vaginal wall flap to secure a watertight separation of the structures. A Martius flap was also used successfully for salvage vaginal reconstruction in three more women, two with extensive injury of their urethra and bladder neck and one with vaginal leakage, after a rectosigmoid neobladder diversion following cystectomy. Results The repair was successful in all eight patients with urinary fistulae and in the one with rectovaginal leakage. The patient with the traumatically injured urethra and bladder neck developed an anastomotic stricture treated with urethral dilatations and internal urethrotomy. The older one developed a vesicovaginal fistula due to bladder neck closure, and this was repaired with a second transvaginal closure. Conclusion Martius labial fat flap is an easy to prepare, well-vascularized tissue that can be most helpful in achieving a long-lasting favorable outcome in vaginal reconstructive surgery.     

The significance of the open bladder neck associated with pelvic fracture urethral distraction defects.

PURPOSE: As a result of pelvic fracture urethral distraction defects, urinary continence relies predominantly on intact bladder neck function. Hence, when cystoscopy and/or cystography reveals an open bladder neck before urethroplasty, the probability of postoperative urinary incontinence may be significant. Unresolved issues are the necessity, the timing and the type of bladder neck repair. We report the outcome of various therapeutic options in patients with pelvic fracture urethral distraction defects and open bladder neck. We also attempt to identify prognostic factors of incontinence before urethroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 15 patients with a mean age of 30 years in whom an open bladder neck was identified before posterior urethroplasty between January 1981 and October 1997. RESULTS: Of the 15 patients 6 were continent and 8 were incontinent postoperatively. One patient underwent artificial urethral sphincter implantation simultaneously with pelvic fracture urethral distraction defect repair and was dry postoperatively without sphincter activation. Average bladder neck and prostatic urethral opening on the cystourethrogram before urethroplasty was significantly longer in incontinent (1.68 cm.) than in continent (0.9 cm.) patients. Of the 8 patients who were incontinent 6 underwent bladder neck reconstruction, 1 artificial urinary sphincter and 1 periurethral collagen implant. Five patients with bladder neck reconstruction are totally continent and 1 requires 1 pad daily. The patient who underwent collagen implant requires 2 pads daily and the patient who received an artificial urethral sphincter has minor urge leakage. CONCLUSIONS: Open bladder neck before urethroplasty may herald postoperative incontinence which may be predicted by radiographic and cystoscopic features. Evaluation of the risk of postoperative incontinence may be valuable, and eventually guide the necessity and timing of anti-incontinence surgery, although our preference remains to manage the pelvic fracture urethral distraction defects and bladder neck problem sequentially. Bladder neck reconstruction provides good postoperative continence rates and is our technique of choice.     

Vaginal flap urethral reconstruction: an alternative to the bladder flap neourethra

Vaginal flap urethral reconstruction was done in 10 women who sustained total or partial loss of the urethra, and extensive damage to the vesical neck and trigone due to operative complications. In all patients a neourethra was constructed by rolling a vaginal flap into a tube and covering the anastomosis with a labial pedicle fat pad graft and vaginal flap. Five patients underwent a concomitant pubovaginal sling procedure, 3 had a modified Pereyra operation and 1 had a modified Kelly plication. Postoperatively, 9 of the 10 patients had a satisfactory neourethra but 3 required a generous meatotomy to facilitate micturition. Two patients required temporary intermittent self-catheterization. Of the 10 patients 6 were completely continent after a single reconstruction, which included an anti-incontinence repair. Of the patients with postoperative incontinence 2 subsequently were cured with a pubovaginal sling and 1 had a vesicovaginal fistula that was successfully repaired transvaginally. These results support our contention that a vaginal flap urethral reconstruction combined with an appropriate anti-incontinence operation offers a viable and simple alternative to bladder flap urethral reconstruction.     

Reconstructive treatment of female urethral estenosis secondary to erosion by suburethral tape

IntroductionFemale urethral stricture secondary to erosión by suburethral sling is an unfrequent problem of difficult solution. Ventral vaginal rotation flaps or buccal mucosa dorsal grafts are not useful because this type of stricture is very proximal (close to the bladder neck) and the vagina is thinned. We present our experience to manage this problem using excision of disease urethral tract, associated to bladder mucosa flap and vaginal sling using transverse vaginal flap to repair the weakened vaginal wall.Material and methodsThree females with urethral stricture secondary to urethral erosion of their sling were treated with a technique of combined urethroplasty with bladder flap and vaginal reinforcement with pediculated vaginal flap transferred in a mini-sling fashion. Two of the patients suffered chronic urinary retention and preoperative placement of urethral catheter was not possible. The patients were evaluated 12, 36 and 55 months after surgery, respectively.ResultsSurgery was performed without complications. Results were satisfactory in all the patients, reaching good micturition postoperative caliber and being without incontinence at follow-up.ConclusionPatients with suburethral erosion by a synthetic sling and secondary severe urethral stricture need total extirpation of the mesh and complete reconstruction of the urethro-vaginal septum. Tension-free urethral suture and use of vaginal sling with the technique here described are two useful technical tips for this problem.     

Transurethral resection of the prostate among medicare beneficiaries: 1984 to 1997. For the Patient Outcomes Research Team for Prostatic Diseases

PURPOSE: Urethrovaginal fistulas are commonly repaired transvaginally with local tissue flaps, such as the Martius labial fat pad graft. Although this flap is ideal, if it fails and the fistula persists, subsequent treatment options are limited. We describe the use of a pedicled rectus abdominis muscle flap for the repair of complex and refractory urethrovaginal fistulas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six women with a mean age of 53 years (range 41 to 62) who had complex and refractory urethrovaginal fistulas were referred to our continence center. Mean number of prior attempted repairs was 1.3 and in all cases at least 1 Martius flap had failed. Transvaginal urethrovaginal fistula closure was performed followed by a pedicled rectus abdominis muscle flap interposed between the fistula closure and vaginal suture line. The muscle flap was based on the inferior epigastric vessels, and provided additional support to the urethra, bladder neck and bladder base. RESULTS: Urethrovaginal fistula repair with the rectus abdominis muscle flap was successful in all cases. No fistula recurred. Of the patients 5 (83%) were continent and able to void to completion at a mean followup of 23 months (range 2 to 66). CONCLUSIONS: The rectus abdominis muscle flap is a useful adjunct in the repair of complex and refractory urethrovaginal fistulas. It can be used with confidence to provide support to the bladder neck and proximal urethra in patients after failed prior repair with the Martius flap procedure. The pelvic surgeon may be able to recognize other applications for the rectus abdominis muscle flap in pelvic floor reconstruction.     

Management of neobladder-vaginal fistula and stress incontinence following radical cystectomy in women: a review

Contemporary literature regarding the management of neobladder-vaginal fistula and stress urinary incontinence following radical cystectomy and neobladder reconstruction in women is reviewed in this article. Neobladder-vaginal fistula is uncommon but mandates meticulous repair. Compared to the native bladder, the wall of the neobladder is much thinner that may render it vulnerable to fistulization. Preservation of the anterior vaginal wall during radical cystectomy decreases the likelihood of pouch-vaginal fistula. Omental flap interposition between the vaginal stump and neobladder at cystectomy may not always prevent fistulization if anterior vaginal wall is violated or overlapping suture lines are not avoided. Surgery for intractable stress incontinence following neobladder reconstruction is fraught with severe complications and requires judicious use of allograft pubovaginal slingplasty possibly with bone anchors. Martius flap interposition appears to play a crucial role in improving the outcome following transvaginal repair of the neobladder-vaginal fistula in multiple non-overlapping layers.     

Vaginal calculi secondary to urethrovaginal fistula with vaginal stenosis in a 14-year-old girl

The author reports a case of vaginal calculi secondary to urethrovaginal fistula with vaginal stenosis in a 14-year-old girl. The initial urethrovaginal fistula and vaginal stenosis resulted from pelvic trauma after a traffic accident, with subsequent surgical urethral realignment and anterior colporrhaphy without success. The patient had continuous urinary incontinence for a duration of 11 years after surgery, and was finally diagnosed with urethrovaginal fistula with primary multiple vaginal calculi in our hospital. Surgeries were performed to remove the stones and repair the urethrovaginal fistula. Colpoplasty was also given by an obstetrician–gynecologist to solve the vaginal stenosis. After the procedure, the girl urinated normally. At her 3-month follow-up, the patient had no sign of urine leakage.     

经耻骨途径带蒂阴唇皮瓣治疗女性尿道狭窄合并尿道阴道瘘

目的 探讨经耻骨途径带蒂阴唇皮瓣治疗女性尿道狭窄合并尿道阴道瘘的疗效.方法 女性复杂性中段尿道狭窄合并尿道阴道瘘患者8例,年龄16～46岁,平均29岁,病程6～24个月.尿道狭窄部位:中段7例、中段至远端1例;狭窄段长度2.0～3.5 cm,平均2.7 cm;合并直肠阴道瘘1例.8例术前均行耻骨上膀胱造瘘,1例同时行乙状结肠腹壁造瘘.采用单侧带蒂阴唇皮瓣5例,双侧带蒂阴唇皮瓣3例.结果 8例手术顺利,无严重并发症.2例拔除尿道支架管后2周内有尿频,1例术后1个月内有压力性尿失禁,3例均未行特殊治疗而逐渐恢复.余5例患者拔管后排尿通畅.8例术后平均随访52(6～130)个月,尿瘘无复发,最大尿流率平均23.8(17.4～42.0)ml/s.结论 经耻骨途径带蒂阴唇皮瓣是治疗女性尿道狭窄合并尿道阴道瘘的一种有效方法.     

Harninkontinenz bei Frauen und Männern aus beckenbodenchirurgischer Sicht

From the perspective of pelvic floor surgery, stress urinary incontinence and urge incontinence are caused primarily by pelvic floor defects, which can be described as loosening of visceral ligaments and fascias. While stress urinary incontinence is mainly associated with defects in the anterior zone, urge incontinence can be caused by loosening in any zone of the pelvic floor. New insight into the pathophysiology of these dysfunctions, which are described here in detail, enabled the development of new surgical procedures from 1986 onwards. The midurethral tape procedure removes looseness in the anterior zone and can usually cure stress urinary incontinence. In patients with urge incontinence, extensive diagnostics are required before an anatomy-orientated reconstruction of the pelvic floor, aimed at establishing a stable vaginal wall beneath the bladder, is indicated. Simulated surgery is important given the complexity of defects and symptoms. Particular attention should be paid to one special case, the “tethered vagina syndrome”. This is caused by the scarred and contracted ventral vaginal wall and leads to urinary incontinence. In male stress urinary incontinence, loosening of connective tissue in the sphincter area is postulated as one pathomechanism which can be surgically cured.     

Vesicovaginal fistula which arose postoperatively after removal of the ureter by the intussusception method for renal pelvic tumor: a case report

A 64-year-old woman underwent right nephroureterectomy of the ureter by the intussusception method under the diagnosis of right renal pelvic tumor in December 2001. Stress incontinence appeared postoperatively, and though conservative treatment was performed, it did not improve. The result of the pad-weighting test was 56 g indicating serious incontinence. In chain cystography, contrast media from the posterior wall of the urinary bladder to the vagina leaked out by the lateral view, and in cystoscopy, a fistula of about 2 mm in diameter was recognized in the right ureteral orifice trace. Under the diagnosis of vesicovaginal fistula, we performed transvaginal repair of the vesicovaginal fistula in November 2003. The urethral catheter was removed on the 14th postoperative day. After removal of the urethral catheter, urge incontinence was recognized, but it improved gradually. The recurrence of fistula and tumor has not been recognized at present.     

Vaginal wall sling: four years later.

Since December 1985, we have treated 65 patients with urinary stress incontinence due to intrinsic sphincter dysfunction with the vaginal wall sling procedure. Of the 54 patients who were available for follow-up, intrinsic sphincter dysfunction was related to multiple prior bladder neck suspension procedures in 48 patients. In the remaining 6 patients, 2 had pelvic trauma, 2 had neurogenic urethral dysfunction, 1 had urethral diverticulectomy, and 1 had pelvic radiation. The success rate of the vaginal wall sling procedure for correcting stress incontinence was 94.4 percent at a mean follow-up of 23.9 months. Postoperative complications were minimal. Although 83 percent were temporarily in urinary retention, in the absence of neurogenic bladder and augmentation cystoplasty, only 5.5 percent needed intermittent self-catheterization on a long-term basis. De novo detrusor instability developed postoperatively in 14.8 percent of the cases. In no patient did a vaginal inclusion cyst develop. The vaginal wall sling is a simple procedure with excellent success rate and minimal morbidity. We recommend it for patients with stress urinary incontinence due to intrinsic sphincter dysfunction.     

Videocystourethrography with a ring pessary in situ. A clinically useful preoperative investigation for continent women with urogenital prolapse?

The aim of the study was to evaluate the use of a vaginal pessary in the detection of genuine stress incontinence (GSI) in women with urogenital prolapse undergoing urodynamic investigation. Continent women with urogenital prolapse, with or without associated urinary symptoms, were studied. All underwent video-cystourethrography using a standarized protocol. None had evidence of incontinence on provocative testing in the upright position. A well-fitting vaginal ring pessary was inserted to reduce the prolapse and mimic a vaginal repair. The provocative tests were then repeated while the bladder was screened. Seventy women with a mean age 59.0 years (range 34–83) were recruited over a 21-month period: 15 women complained of prolapse alone and 55 had concurrent urinary symptoms; 19 women (27%) developed GSI only following the insertion of a vaginal pessary. The women who became incontinent were significantly older (mean age 63.9 years) than those who remained continent (mean age 56.8 years) (P<0.020). The use of a vaginal pessary increases the detection rate of GSI in continent women with urogenital prolapse undergoing videocystourethrography. These findings are important becasuse women with prolapse and coexisting incontinence should be offered a continence procedure rather than a simple vaginal repair.Editorial Comment: All patients with significant uterovaginal prolapse require preoperative evaluation to rule out the presence of potential stress incontinence. The simplest and best way to perform this preoperatively has yet to be determined, although several methods have been described. These include a cough stress test or cough urethral profile performed with a full bladder with the prolapse reduced with a Sims' speculum, a pessary or vaginal packing. A pad test with the prolapse reduced in a similar fashion has also been used clinically to identify patients at risk for postoperactive potential stress incontinence following correction of pelvic prolapse. The authors present their experience using a ring pessary to reduce the prolapse during videourodynamic evaluation of lower urinary tract function, finding this technique to be effective in identifying patients who leak only with the pessary in place, and therefore, require an incontinence procedure. The pickup rate for this cohort of patients is similar to previous studies using alternative methods of detection. Perhaps the only question yet to be answered is the percentage of patients with negative testing preoperatively, yet who develop urinary incontinence immediately following surgical correction of pelvic relaxation. Only this determination will truly assess the clinical utility of the preoperative methods used to identify potential stress incontinence.     

Management of giant vesicovaginal and vesicourethrovaginal fistulas

We herein report on 15 patients with giant vesicovaginal (7) and vesicourethrovaginal (8) fistulas repaired since July 1979. All fistulas were repaired by a suprapubic approach with or without a concomitant vaginal approach. All 7 patients with giant vesicovaginal fistulas underwent a standard racket incision of the bladder with excision of the fistula, closure of the vagina and bladder, and an omental interposition, and were cured. Four patients with giant vesicourethrovaginal fistulas had a similar successful closure but only 2 were cured of the incontinence, while 2 remained totally incontinent owing to failure of the bladder outlet sphincteric mechanism. The latter 2 patients were managed by a Tanagho bladder flap urethral reconstruction: 1 remained totally incontinent and finally underwent diversion, while 1 was improved but not cured totally. Four patients were managed by repair of the fistula simultaneously with a Tanagho bladder flap: 2 had no previous abdominal repairs and both achieved continence postoperatively, while 2 had numerous attempts at repair (including abdominal approaches) before referral and only 1 was cured. Giant vesicovaginal fistulas can be repaired successfully in almost all patients. Although vesicourethrovaginal fistulas can be closed as readily there is a high likelihood of sphincteric inadequacy in patients with extensive urethral involvement. A bladder flap urethral reconstruction is valuable in these patients, particularly in the absence of prior suprapubic procedures.     

The late occurrence of urinary tract damage in patients successfully treated by radiotherapy for cervical carcinoma

Urinary tract complications apparently resulting from radiation therapy for carcinoma of the cervix can occur as long as 30 years after cessation of such treatment. Patients generally present with urinary incontinence and often are treated by standard operative methods that usually are unsuccessful. Incontinence is related to bladder fibrosis, urethral nonfunction and vesicovaginal fistuLa formation, and may be accompanied by bilateral ureteral obstruction. Of 11 patients with late complications of radiotherapy 4 had upper tract deterioration, 4 had vesicovaginal fistulas, 5 had an incompetent urethra aNd 9 had a fibrotic, noncompliant areflexive bladder. Treatment was aimed at providing adequate low pressure storage capacity and consisted of augmentation cystoplasty in 5 patients, repair of the fistula in 4 and correction of urethral dysfunction in 5. Women who complain of incontinence and/or irritable bladder symptoms with a history of radiotherapy for cervical carcinoma should be evaluated for fistuLa formation, urethral incompetence, and detrusor areflexia and fibrosis before treatment is done.     

Obstetric fistula: the use of urethral plugs for the management of persistent urinary incontinence following successful repair

Introduction and hypothesis

The objectives of this study are to analyse the effect of a urethral plug as a means of controlling persistent urinary incontinence following successful repair of an obstetric vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) and to identify factors which might influence potential success or failure.

Methods

Data from Physiotherapy Department records of a series of 181 women referred for urethral plug assessment following successful repair of VVF were studied retrospectively. Outcome in terms of continence status with the plug was considered in relation to estimated bladder size, urethral length and diameter, and vaginal scarring.

Results

A total of 137 women (75.7 %) reported being dry whilst using a urethral plug and 18 (9.9 %) half dry. There were 26 women (14.4 %) who remained wet, 17 of whom had a new or wide urethra. A total of 101 women (55.8 %) had a smaller than normal estimated bladder size (linear measurement from urethral meatus to the deepest point of the bladder?=?<7.5 cm) and were more likely to remain wet although this was not found to be statistically significant. Adverse incidents included rupture of the urethral plug (two) and migration of a plug into the bladder, requiring cystoscopic removal (six)

Conclusions

A urethral plug appears to be an effective means of restoring or improving continence in women with persistent urinary incontinence following successful repair of obstetric VVF although data on long-term outcome were not available for analysis. Success rates may be lower if women have a significantly reduced bladder capacity or a new or wide urethra.     

The management of old urethral injury in young girls: analysis of 44 cases

Background/purpose: Traumatic urethral injury in girls is rare, and there is no consensus on its management. The authors report their 22-year experience.Methods: Forty girls presented with urethrovaginal fistula. Twenty-six girls presented with cystostomy tube in place, whereas 17 girls presented with complete urinary incontinence. Incision and dilatation of the obliterated urethra was carried out in 7 patients. Vaginal repair of urethrovaginal fistula was performed in 4 patients. Transpubic reconstruction of the urethra using a modified Young-Dees-Leadbetter procedure with simultaneous repair of the urethrovaginal fistula was performed in 35 patients (once in 27, twice in 5, and 3 times in 3 patients).Results: Follow-up in 40 girls averaged 3.5 years. Twenty-nine patients have regained normal urinary control, and 11 patients have mild stress urinary incontinence. Four patients were lost to follow-up.Conclusions: Simple dilation of the obliterated urethra can reestablish satisfactory urethral patency if the obliterated segment is short. The vaginal approach to urethrovaginal fistula may be successful in patients without concomitant urethral stricture or in those with stricture amenable to simple dilation. The transpubic approach remains the method of choice for repairing complete urethral disruption and severe urethral stricture, especially when associated with urethrovaginal fistula.     

女童陈旧性尿道外伤的治疗

目的 提高女童陈旧性尿道外伤的疗效。方法 总结44例女童尿道外伤病例资料。其中陈旧性43例,尿道阴道瘘40例,阴道闭锁积脓2例,阴道结石1例,膀胱结石1例。28例带膀胱造瘘,15例为尿失禁。平均年龄8岁。手术分3类：尿道贯通7例,其中3例再经阴道修瘘;经阴道修瘘1例;经耻骨联合切除入路修复尿道及瘘35例。结果 40例随访6个月－16年,排尿正常29例,发生不全尿失禁11例。结论 除短段病例可用尿道贯通及大女孩阴道修瘘外,多需经耻骨入路、栽剪膀胱三角区瓣修复尿道狭窄及尿道阴道瘘。     

The role of anti-incontinence surgery in management of occult urinary stress incontinence

Combining anti-incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse surgery for patients with occult urinary stress incontinence is controversial. The concern is that some of these patients may remain continent after vaginal prolapse repair making the addition of anti-incontinence surgery unnecessary. However, this can be explained by the fact that the anterior vaginal repair has a curative effect on stress incontinence. Therefore, these patients are denied the more successful anti-incontinence surgery by treating their incontinence with vaginal repair. Once we are able to detect the true cases of occult urinary stress incontinence, all patients should be offered anti-incontinence surgery in combination of vaginal prolapse surgery.     

Use of the rectus abdominis muscle and fascia flap in reconstruction of epispadias/exstrophy

Inferiorly based rectus abdominis muscle flaps and fascial flaps have been used to construct a firm abdominal wall without hernias and to provide coverage of the bladder, bladder neck, and proximal urethra in the secondary reconstruction of patients with epispadias/exstrophy complex. They have also been used to produce an elevation of the mons area, which is lacking in the typical exstrophy patient. Rectus fascial flaps have been the mainstay of abdominal closure when wide diastasis of the rectal muscles is present and when the lower abdomen lacks fascial support. We are pleased with the results of utilizing either the rectus muscle or rectus fascia in this complex condition. We have been using fascial flaps for over 10 years in our epispadias/exstrophy closures and abdominal wall strengthening procedures. We have been using bone grafts and the rectus muscle for the construction of a mons for the past 5 years. Although the rectus muscle procedure to cover the bladder and the bladder neck has been in use for only 2 years, we have seen patients with incontinence restored to a continent state; these patients have not been plagued with fistula problems when a neourethra has to be constructed to elongate the phallus. Previous attempts at urethral repair in this area have been successful in the main, but an occasional fistula at the junction between the penile skin and the abdominopubic skin has resulted. Since using the rectus muscle to cover the bladder and bladder neck area, we have not had this problem. Patients with epispadias/exstrophy remain such difficult problems that every advance in technique should be used to improve results.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)