Female epispadias

Abstract

Purpose: We assessed the incidence, anatomical features and treatment of female epispadias.

Materials and methods: We studied 10 patients followed from 1 to 18 years. Four were operated on in 2 stages: first, cervicoplasty with original technique, and second, reconstruction of genitalia and distal urethra. Two had only a cervicoplasty. The last 4 patients were operated on in 1 stage according to Hendren's technique but with a simplified cervicoplasty.

Results: Eight of 10 patients are totally continent, 1 has some small nocturnal leakage, and 1 is incontinent but the interval of dryness is increasing and is longer than 1 hour. Concerning external genitalia, the result is good but not perfect.

Conclusions: Female epispadias is most often complete with total incontinence. The aim of treatment is to reconstruct the anatomy in 1 stage. Treatment is easier and the results are better than in cases of female exstrophy or male incontinent epispadias.