Connections of the bladder plate and bladder neck with the bony pelvis in a fetus with classic bladder exstrophy.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate that the bladder plate and bladder neck in classic bladder exstrophy are laying on smooth muscle fibers that extend laterally to the pubic bones. METHODS: We compared a male fetus of 28 weeks' gestational age with classic bladder exstrophy with a normal fetus of the same age. The specimens were divided into two parts by a midsagittal section, from the bladder neck to the membranous urethra. Thin transverse slices were also obtained on one part, and longitudinal slices on the other part. RESULTS: The smooth musculature of the bladder is normally differentiated cytologically and extends laterally to the bony structures of the pelvis. The musculature of the bladder neck and urethra are normally present compared with the control. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrate the musculoskeletal organization of the urogenital system in classic bladder exstrophy. They also indicate that these structures should be clearly individualized and repaired in the reconstruction of classic bladder exstrophy.