title: Delayed exstrophy repair (DER) does not compromise initial bladder development.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Delayed exstrophy repair (DER) represents an alternative to early neonatal bladder closure. This study aims to define the consequence of DER on bladder growth in bladder exstrophy patients who underwent routine DER, compared with those who underwent immediate postnatal reconstruction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 2000 and 2005, classic bladder exstrophy patients referred to the authors' institution underwent early neonatal bladder closure (group 1). Subsequently, classic bladder exstrophy patients referred to the authors' institution were treated with an elective DER (group 2). Bladder capacity was assessed between the age of 1 and 4 years with an unconscious cystogram. When dilating VUR was present, the volume of the contrast migrated into the ureter was calculated and subtracted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty patients were treated between 2000 and 2012. Complete follow-up data were available for 45 patients and they were included in the study: 21 in group 1 (11 males) and 24 in group 2 (14 males). The mean (SD) bladder volumes were 72.85 (28.5) ml in group 1 and 72.87 (34.9) in group 2 (p = 0.99).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the authors' experience, DER does not reduce the subsequent bladder capacities compared with neonatal exstrophy closure.
authors: Department of Paediatric Urology, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9WL, UK. Electronic address: fferraradoc@gmail.com.
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Ferrara
authors: Department of Paediatric Urology, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9WL, UK. Electronic address: alan.dickson@cmft.nhs.uk.
authors: Alan P
authors: AP
authors: Dickson
authors: Department of Paediatric Urology, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9WL, UK. Electronic address: janet.fishwick@cmft.nhs.uk.
authors: Janet
authors: J
authors: Fishwick
authors: Department of Paediatric Anaesthesia, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester, UK. Electronic address: rita.vashisht@cmft.nhs.uk.
authors: Rita
authors: R
authors: Vashisht
authors: Department of Paediatric Orthopaedic, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester, UK. Electronic address: tahir.khan@cmft.nhs.uk.
authors: Tahair
authors: T
authors: Khan
authors: Department of Paediatric Urology, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9WL, UK. Electronic address: raimondo.cervellione@cmft.nhs.uk.
authors: Raimondo M
authors: RM
authors: Cervellione
mesh_terms: D001746:Bladder Exstrophy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000254:growth & development / Q000601:surgery*; D014554:Urination / Q000502:physiology; D013520:Urologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Bladder exstrophy; Bladder growth; Delayed repair