Exstrophy Bladder or Ectopia Vesica : ‘An Inside Out Affair’ A Surgical Update With Review of Current Literature

Abstract

The word 'exstrophy,' first described by Chaussier in 1780 is derived from the Greek ekstriphein and refers to 'turn inside out'; an uncommon congenital anomaly. It has a male to female ratio of 2:1. These are congenital defects of unknown origin characterised by an abnormal development of multiple systems such as the musculoskeletal system resulting lower abdominal wall muscles separation, the skeletal system resulting in vertebral and spinal cord defects along with a diastasis of the pubic bones leading to the protrusion of hollow organs the bladder & occasionally the intestine that is exposed outside the body. The surgical challenges therefore include the reconstruction of the abdominal wall, the restoration of the bladder to its anatomical position with the aim of having a competent bladder storage system along with a cosmetically acceptable external genital with a good functional sexual outcome. .