THE CANTWELL-RANSLEY TECHNIQUE FOR REPAIR OF EPISPADIAS

A total of 26 boys with bladder exstrophy (20) and epispadias (6) underwent initial urethral reconstruction between 1988 and 1991 using the Cantwell-Ransley technique. Penile reconstruction included wide mobilization of the urethral plate from the underlying corpora based on a mesentery from the ventral penoscrotal skin, corporeal lengthening by dividing the suspensory ligaments and attachments to the undersurface of the pubis, urethral and glandular tubularization, chordee correction by medial incision of the corpora with anastomosis dorsal to the urethra and penile skin coverage. All exstrophy patients had adequate phallic length, with 13 having an intact urethral plate and 13 having had prior paraexstrophy skin flap interposition. Postoperatively, repairs were intubated with silicone stents for 10 days. Two urethrocutaneous fistulas developed, 1 of which closed spontaneously. One patient had a small degree of penile skin loss that did not affect the neourethra. All patients currently have a cosmetically acceptable penis and all but 1 (previously diverted) are voiding per urethram. The neourethra in such patients allows for easier access for endoscopy and the ventral position aids in maintaining correction of the dorsal chordee. The low complication rate of this procedure coupled with the better anatomical configuration of the neourethra makes it useful for urethral and penile reconstruction in the exstrophy and epispadias patient.