Surgical Techniques
For Infant Boys:
A midline incision is made along the penile shaft to expose the malformed urethra. The surgeon carefully dissects and mobilizes the urethra, freeing it from abnormal attachments to allow repositioning. Two primary surgical techniques may be used, depending on the severity of epispadias:
1. Modified Cantwell-Ransley Technique
This technique is used for less severe cases of epispadias. The surgeon partially reconstructs the penis and moves the urethra to a better location while preserving as much normal tissue as possible. The urethra is tubularized and repositioned to ensure urine exits from the tip of the penis. If there is insufficient urethral tissue, additional tissue grafts (from the bladder or inner cheek mucosa) may be used. This technique reduces surgical complexity while improving function and appearance.
2. Mitchell Technique(Complete Penile Disassembly):
This technique is used for severe epispadias and bladder exstrophy cases. In cases of severe epispadias, the penis may be curved (dorsal chordee). The surgeon completely reconstructs the penis, fully detaching and repositioning the urethra. The surgeon will straighten the shaft using specialized suturing techniques or tissue rearrangement.
The skin is carefully repositioned and sutured to create a natural-looking genital appearance. A catheter (typically a suprapubic catheter or urethral stent) is placed to allow urine drainage while healing occurs. The surgical site is covered with a protective dressing.
For Infant Girls:
The patient is positioned in the lithotomy position (legs elevated). A midline perineal incision is made to access the urethra and surrounding tissues. The surgeon mobilizes the urethral opening, which is typically located between the clitoris and labia but may be in an abnormal location. The urethral opening is moved closer to its normal position near the vaginal entrance. If necessary, the urethral tube is reconstructed to ensure proper urinary flow and reduce the risk of incontinence. In severe cases, the clitoris may be split or widely separated. The surgeon may perform clitoral reconstruction to restore a more typical appearance. The labia minora and labia majora may also be reshaped for symmetry.
The incisions are closed with absorbable sutures, a catheter is placed to assist with urine drainage during healing, and the surgical site is covered with a protective dressing.