OBJECTIVES: To investigate the feasibility of biodegradable plate and screws for the tension-free internal fixation of the symphysis pubis in patients with bladder exstrophy, with a particular emphasis on pelvic bone changes as seen on 3-dimensional computed tomography. METHODS: A total of 11 children with bladder exstrophy underwent surgical repair with biodegradable plate and screw fixation (mean age 4.13 years). Of the 11 patients, 6 had a history of failed bladder closures and pelvic osteotomies, 1 had failed bladder closure, and 4 had no such history. All 11 children underwent single-stage classic bladder closure. Subsequently, the symphysis pubis was fixed by placing a biodegradable miniplate and screws. The patients remained in leg bandages for 2 weeks. The follow-up period was 6-50 months (average 30.1). Three-dimensional pelvic bone computed tomography was performed initially and at 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: All 11 children had an uneventful postoperative period, except for a superficial infection at the site of the suprapubic tube in 1 patient. The mean hospital stay was 13.4 days. The plate remained in situ, and no further surgery was needed to remove it. Pelvic 3-dimensional computed tomography revealed a 35.48 +/- 1.50 mm, 20.06 +/- 1.97 mm, and 10.73 degrees +/- 0.84 degrees decrease in pubic diastasis, intertriradiate distance, and iliac wing angle at 6 months postoperatively, respectively. Significant improvement was seen in the patients' urinary continence and gait compared with the preoperative values. At the final follow-up visit, 6 patients were socially dry. CONCLUSIONS: Internal fixation of the pubic arch using biodegradable plates as a biocompatible alternative to current metal fixation system offers intriguing potential for early exstrophy management. This adds a layer of security to the pubic closure, in addition to the current surgical armamentarium for bladder exstrophy.
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