THE CEPHALOTRIGONAL REIMPLANT IN BLADDER NECK RECONSTRUCTION FOR PATIENTS WITH EXSTROPHY OR EPISPADIAS

A modified technique of ureteroneocystostomy with bladder neck plasty was used in 36 of 75 patients undergoing staged repair of bladder exstrophy or epispadias between 1986 and 1992. This procedure entails mobilizing the ureter while preserving the trigonal hiatus as with the cross-trigonal technique. The distal ureteral segments are directed superiorly toward the bladder dome rather than across the mid line. Of 75 patients 36 underwent cephalotrigonal reimplantation and 39 had a conventional cross-trigonal reimplant. Continence rate was 77% in the patients who underwent cephalotrigonal reimplantation and 72% in those who had a cross-trigonal reimplant. No patient had ureteral obstruction or vesicoureteral reflux. The ureter in exstrophy patients enters the bladder from an inferior position within the true pelvis. Directing the ureter superiorly rather than across the mid line provides a more gradual course through the hiatus and submucosal tunnel. The cranial course of the distal ureter frees more of the trigone for use in the rolled segment of the bladder neck and provides more muscle area for the tube. This is especially important in the patient in whom the distance between the mid prostate and trigone is particularly short.