Epispadias repair: functional outcome of complete disassembly.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Complete penile disassembly (CPD) is a widely utilized procedure for epispadias repair. The rarity of the anomaly and limited number of patients in published series limit our ability to fully evaluate the outcome of such a technique.

RECENT FINDINGS: We reviewed the literature for published data on CPD. We looked at different complications of the procedure and the main modifications to alleviate such complications. We looked at functional data on the effect of such a technique on erectile function. This review should be helpful in parents/patient counseling. Future areas for research are suggested.

SUMMARY: CPD is a safe and highly successful technique for epispadias repair in infants, boys and adults. There is an ongoing concern with the procedure in neonates. The procedure has a satisfactory outcome when performed for isolated epispadias. In the exstrophy population, long-term data are required to evaluate the outcome of the technique on urinary continence and sexual functions.