Interposing Rectus and Gracilis Muscle Flaps for Pelvic Reconstruction in Bladder Exstrophy After Bladder Neck Closure

Background: The exstrophy-epispadias complex is a spectrum of ventral wall malformations including classic bladder exstrophy and cloacal exstrophy (CE). Patients undergo multiple soft-tissue procedures to achieve urinary continence. If unsuccessful bladder neck closure (BNC) is performed, muscle flaps may be used to reinforce BNC or afterward for fistula reconstruction. In this study, patients reconstructed using a rectus abdominis or gracilis muscle flap were reviewed.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study of patients with exstrophy-epispadias complex who underwent BNC and had a muscle flap was performed. Indication for flap use; surgical technique; and risks for BNC failure, including mucosal violations (MVs), were reviewed. MVs were previous bladder mucosa manipulation for exstrophy closure, repeat closures, and bladder neck reconstruction. Success was defined as BNC without fistula development.

Results: Thirty-four patients underwent reconstruction. Indications included fistula prophylaxis during BNC ( n = 13), fistula closure after BNC ( n = 17), fistula prophylaxis after BNC during open cystolithotomy ( n = 1), or fistula closure after open cystolithotomy ( n = 3). A vesicourethral fistula developed most frequently in classic bladder exstrophy (88.9%) and vesicoperineal fistula in CE (87.5%). Thirty-three rectus flaps and 3 gracilis flaps were used, with success achieved in 97.1% and 66.7%, respectively. All 34 patients achieved success, and 2 patients with CE required a second flap.

Conclusions: The rectus flap is preferred as it covers the anteroinferior bladder and pelvic floor to prevent urethral, cutaneous, and perineal fistula formation. The gracilis flap only reaches the pelvic floor to prevent urethral and perineal fistula development. Increased MVs increase the risk of fistula formation and may influence the need for prophylactic flaps.

Clinical Question/level Of Evidence: Therapeutic, IV.