Using a Decision Tree to Guide Bowel Management in Spina Bifida.

BACKGROUND: When born with spina bifida, there are numerous neurologic disorders that accompany this birth defect, including neurogenic bowel. Proactive, systematic, and rational approaches can lead to continence and a more functional lifestyle [1]. METHODS: Based on the evidence in the literature and expert experience, our approach to bowel management was developed as a step by step, individualized approach. This was converted to a decision tree for easy guidance of treatment decisions. The approach includes teaching patients and families normal bowel function, changes resulting from neurogenic bowel, common pitfalls in bowel management, and techniques that may improve outcomes. The decision tree, starting with dietary management, breaks into a two-fold attack, oral and rectal. Our data as part of the National Spina Bifida Patient Registry (NSBPR) database was compared to public data from the NSBPR. RESULTS: Preliminary data from the NSBPR in 2011 reported bowel continence in 42.1% (n = 898) compared to our clinical outcomes of 72.1% (n = 43). As the variable of bowel continence was further defined and more patients were enrolled, the clinic results were comparable to the national reports. CONCLUSION: Consistency among providers and caregivers is critical to evaluating the management of continence in spina bifida. While this protocol warrants further evaluation, it is offered as an evidence-based, step by step, approach to bowel management in spina bifida with good outcomes for patient management.

Bladder Management and Continence Outcomes in Adults with Spina Bifida: Results from the National Spina Bifida Patient Registry, 2009 to 2015.

PURPOSE: Most children with spina bifida now survive into adulthood, although most have neuropathic bladder with potential complications of incontinence, infection, renal damage and diminished quality of life. In this study we sought to 1) describe contemporary bladder management and continence outcomes of adults with spina bifida, 2) describe differences from younger individuals and 3) assess for association with socioeconomic factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed data on bladder management and outcomes in adults with spina bifida from the National Spina Bifida Patient Registry. A strict definition of continence was used. Results were compared to young children (age 5 to 11 years) and adolescents (12 to 19). Statistical analysis compared cohorts by gender, ethnicity, spina bifida type, lesion level, insurance status, educational attainment, employment status and continence. RESULTS: A total of 5,250 patients with spina bifida were included, of whom 1,372 (26.1%) were adults. Of the adult patients 45.8% did not take medication, but 76.8% performed clean intermittent catheterization. Continence was decreased in adults with myelomeningocele (45.8%) vs those with nonmyelomeningocele spina bifida (63.1%, p <0.0001). Continence rates were higher in the older cohorts with myelomeningocele (p <0.0001) but not in those with nonmyelomeningocele spina bifida (p = 0.1192). Bladder management and history of urological surgery varied among age groups. On univariate analysis with spina bifida related or socioeconomic variables continence was significantly associated with educational level but on multivariable logistic regression analysis bladder continence was significantly associated with employment status only. CONCLUSIONS: Bladder management techniques differ between adults and children with spina bifida. Bladder continence outcomes were better in adults, with nearly half reporting continence. Continence was significantly associated with employment status in patients age 25 years or older.

Treatment patterns, testicular loss and disparities in inpatient surgical management of testicular torsion in boys: a population-based study 1998-2010.

OBJECTIVES: To examine temporal trends in inpatient testicular torsion (TT) treatment and testicular loss (TL), and to identify risk factors for TL using a large nationally representative paediatric cohort, stratified to established high prevalence TT cohorts (neonatal TT [NTT]; age <1 years) and adolescent TT (ATT; age 12-17 years). METHODS: Boys (age ≤17 years, n = 17 478) undergoing surgical exploration for TT were identified within the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (1998-2010). Temporal trends in inpatient TT management (salvage surgery vs orchiectomy) and TL were examined using estimated annual percent change methodology. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify risk factors for TL. RESULTS: Teaching hospitals treated 90% of boys with NTT, compared with 55% with ATT (P < 0.001). Of boys with NTT, 85% lost their testis, compared with 35% with ATT (P < 0.001). Inpatient management of NTT declined during the study period, from 7.5/100 000 children in 1998 to 3/100 000 in 2010 (estimated annual percent change -4.95%; P < 0.001). The decrease was similar but less dramatic in ATT. TL patterns did not improve. In adjusted analyses, for NTT, orchiectomy was more likely at teaching hospitals. For ATT, orchiectomy was more likely in children with comorbidities (odds ratio 5.42; P = 0.045), Medicaid coverage or self-pay (P < 0.05) and weekday presentation (P = 0.001). Regional or racial disposition was not associated with TL. CONCLUSIONS: There has been a gradual decrease in inpatient surgical treatment for both NTT and ATT, presumably as a result of increased outpatient and/or non-operative management of these children. Concerningly, TL patterns have not improved; targeted interventions such as parental and adolescent male health education may lead to timely recognition/intervention in children at-risk for ATT. We noted no regional/racial disparities in contrast to earlier studies.

Transitional Urology for Male Adolescents: What Adult Urologists Should Know.

In recent years, there has been increasing interest in transitional urology, or how to best prepare patients with major congenital urologic diseases, such as bladder exstrophy and neuropathic bladder, to manage their own health care with adult urologists. However, common pediatric urologic conditions may be encountered by the adult urologist with more regularity. This review focuses on three relatively common conditions which may be identified in childhood, the consequences from which a patient may seek help from an adult urologist: cryptorchidism, varicocele, and Klinefelter syndrome.

National practice patterns and outcomes of pediatric nephrectomy: comparison between urology and general surgery.

PURPOSE: In adults nephrectomy is under the purview of urologists, but pediatric urologists and pediatric general surgeons perform extirpative renal surgery in children. We compared the contemporary performance and outcome of all-cause nephrectomy at pediatric hospitals as performed by pediatric urologists and pediatric general surgeons. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We queried the Pediatric Health Information System to identify patients 0 to 18 years old who were treated with nephrectomy between 2004 and 2013 by pediatric urologists and pediatric general surgeons. Data points included age, gender, severity level, mortality risk, complications and length of stay. Patients were compared by APR DRG codes 442 (kidney and urinary tract procedures for malignancy) and 443 (kidney and urinary tract procedures for nonmalignancy). RESULTS: Pediatric urologists performed more all-cause nephrectomies. While pediatric urologists were more likely to operate on patients with benign renal disease, pediatric general surgeons were more likely to operate on children with malignancy. Patients on whom pediatric general surgeons operated had a higher average severity level and were at greater risk for mortality. After controlling for differences patients without malignancy operated on by pediatric urologists had a shorter length of stay, and fewer medical and surgical complications. There was no difference in length of stay, or medical or surgical complications in patients with malignancy. CONCLUSIONS: Overall compared to pediatric general surgeons more nephrectomies are performed by pediatric urologists. Short-term outcomes, including length of stay and complication rates, appear better in this data set in patients without malignancy who undergo nephrectomy by pediatric urologists but there is no difference in outcomes when nephrectomy is performed for malignancy.

The fate of the complete female epispadias and exstrophy bladder--is there a difference?

PURPOSE: Complete female epispadias, which occurs much more rarely than classic bladder exstrophy in females, is thought to have a more benign clinical course. We hypothesized that patients with complete female epispadias are more likely to have a larger bladder capacity and achieve voiding continence than females with classic bladder exstrophy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After obtaining institutional review board approval, females with complete female epispadias or classic bladder exstrophy were identified from an institutionally approved prospective database. We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 22 patients with complete female epispadias and 23 with female classic bladder exstrophy, including 3 with delayed primary closure. RESULTS: Patients with complete female epispadias presented later and underwent the first reconstructive procedure at an older age than patients with classic bladder exstrophy. Patients with complete female epispadias had lower initial and final age adjusted bladder capacity than those with classic bladder exstrophy but the bladder growth rate did not differ between the groups. When patients with complete female epispadias were stratified by age at initial reconstruction, there was no difference in final age adjusted bladder capacity or the bladder growth rate. There was also no statistical difference between the groups in the number of surgeries, continence rate from initial reconstruction, bladder neck reconstruction success or need for a continent stoma. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that females with classic bladder exstrophy who undergo successful primary closure have higher initial and final age adjusted bladder capacity than females with complete female epispadias but with a similar growth rate. This may reflect the creation of outlet resistance at a younger age than in those with complete female epispadias. However, no difference was identified between patients with complete female epispadias who initially underwent repair before vs after age 1 year. Patients with complete female epispadias undergo procedures to achieve continence that are similar to those in patients with classic bladder exstrophy.

Initial characterization of exstrophy bladder smooth muscle cells in culture.

PURPOSE: Previous studies have suggested that exstrophic bladder smooth muscle cells grown in culture show contractility similar to that of normal bladder smooth muscle cells. Despite this similar contractility, other cellular characteristics may vary between exstrophic and normal bladder smooth muscle cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Primary cultures of bladder smooth muscle cells were established from patients with bladder exstrophy (14) and vesicoureteral reflux as a control (10). Expression of smooth muscle specific α-actin and heavy chain myosin was determined with immunohistochemistry. Response of smooth muscle cells to high potassium Krebs solution or acetylcholine (0.1 mM) was assessed using a calcium sensitive fluorescent dye. Intracellular calcium concentration was measured after 48 hours in basal media. Cell migration in basal media during 24 hours was determined using transwell assays. Baseline proliferation and response to 10% fetal bovine serum were assessed with bromodeoxyuridine incorporation assays. RESULTS: More than 95% of exstrophy and control smooth muscle cells stained positive for actin and myosin. Functional integrity was verified in each exstrophy and control cell line by response to high potassium Krebs solution or acetylcholine. The intracellular calcium concentration was lower in exstrophy smooth muscle cells than in control smooth muscle cells (71 vs 136 nM, p <0.001). More exstrophy cells migrated than control cells (37% vs 18%, p = 0.004). There was no statistically significant difference in proliferation between exstrophy and control smooth muscle cells in basal or growth media. CONCLUSIONS: Cultured exstrophy smooth muscle cells demonstrate some differences in baseline characteristics compared to control cells. Differences in migration and intracellular calcium may have implications for in vivo detrusor function and tissue engineering.

Transforming growth factor-ß1 mediates migration in cultured human control and exstrophy bladder smooth muscle cells.

PURPOSE: Transforming growth factor-ß1 regulates extracellular matrix composition, and impacts function and proliferation in multiple cell types, including bladder smooth muscle cells. In this study we evaluated the response to transforming growth factor-ß1 in cultured exstrophy and control bladder smooth muscle cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Primary bladder smooth muscle cell cultures were established from patients with bladder exstrophy or vesicoureteral reflux. Smooth muscle specific α-actin and heavy chain myosin expression was determined using immunohistochemistry. Cell migration, intracellular calcium concentration and proliferation were determined after incubation for 24 to 48 hours in basal media, with or without transforming growth factor-ß1 (0.001 to 3 nM) or transforming growth factor-ß1 receptor inhibitor SB 431542 (10 µM). RESULTS: Cultured exstrophy and control smooth muscle cells stained positive for α-actin and heavy chain myosin. Exstrophy smooth muscle cells demonstrated increased migration compared to control smooth muscle cells at baseline (38% vs 20%, p = 0.01). Transforming growth factor-ß1 increased control smooth muscle cell migration while SB 431542 decreased exstrophy smooth muscle cell migration. Control cells had a higher intracellular calcium concentration, which decreased significantly when exposed to SB 431542. Transforming growth factor-ß1 did not cause significant changes in intracellular calcium concentration. Inhibition of transforming growth factor-ß1 receptors decreased proliferation in exstrophy and control smooth muscle cells, but exogenous transforming growth factor-ß1 did not impact proliferation. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that there are distinct differences in bladder smooth muscle cell function between control and exstrophy cases which persist in culture. Although resting intracellular calcium concentration was higher in control cells, proliferation rates were similar in both cell types, indicating that lower intracellular calcium concentration did not impact growth potential. In contrast, enhanced migration was observed in exstrophy cells, possibly due to excess transforming growth factor-ß1 signaling, but seemingly independent of increases in intracellular calcium concentration.

Clostridium difficile: What is the risk?

INTRODUCTION: Clostridium difficile infections (CDIs) are rising among pediatric patients in the community and hospital setting. Children undergoing transplants and bowel surgery are at a higher risk, while renal surgery has a lower risk. We hypothesize children undergoing pediatric urologic procedures are uncommonly diagnosed with postoperative CDI. OBJECTIVE: To study CDI in pediatric patients undergoing urologic surgery and identify associated perioperative factors. STUDY DESIGN: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Pediatric data file was queried for children undergoing surgery with pediatric urology or urology between 2015 and 2017. Data points included patient demographics (age, gender, race, ASA classification), surgery performed, and perioperative outcomes (operative time, admission status, length of stay, complications, readmission, and reoperation). Students T-test and Chi-square analyses were applied to detect differences between those with CDI and those without CDI. RESULTS: Of the 27,193 patients undergoing urologic surgery, 36 (0.13%) were diagnosed with CDI. The surgeries are presented in the Summary Figure. Patients with CDI were more likely to be female (50% vs 28%, p = 0.003) than those without. There was no difference in mean age or race. Children with CDI had higher ASA classifications (p < 0.001). Their mean operative times were longer (156.1 ± 19.6 vs 105.2 ± 0.6 min, p < 0.001), as were their mean lengths of stay (4.6 ± 0.8 vs 1.3 ± 0.0 days, p < 0.001). CDI patients were more likely to have other complications (29% vs 6%, p < 0.001). Among patients with CDI, 19.4% experienced concomitant infectious complications. There was no difference in reoperation rate, but more patients with CDI required readmission (56% vs 4%, p < 0.001). A third of children with CDI had undergone vesicoureteral reflux correction, comprising 0.3% of the included procedures. Over 11% of children with CDI had undergone nephrectomy, comprising 1.1% of the included procedures for the highest rate. DISCUSSION: CDI are uncommon following pediatric urologic procedures. No patients undergoing inguinal or scrotal cases developed CDI, while only one patient developed CDI after penile surgery. Our study does have several important limitations: we are unable to provide clinical information about the exact diagnoses, CDI risk factors such as antibiotic usage or comorbid conditions, and the number of patients who were tested for CDI. CONCLUSION: While pediatric urologists are unlikely to encounter postoperative CDI, when they occur, they are associated with longer lengths of stay, increased readmission rates, and an increased rate of non-CDI complications.

Neuro-orthopedic manifestations of the omphalocele exstrophy imperforate anus spinal defects complex.

PURPOSE: The omphalocele-exstrophy-imperforate anus-spinal defects complex is a severe multisystem congenital defect. To comprehensively care for these patients one must appreciate the neurological and orthopedic impact on the overall health of the child. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 73 children with omphalocele-exstrophy-imperforate anus-spinal defects who were treated at our institution, identifying neurological and orthopedic anomalies, ambulatory ability and voiding status. RESULTS: No neurological data were available on 5 patients. Of the remaining 68 patients 9 had no spinal anomaly, 57 had spina bifida, 1 had hemivertebrae and 1 had coccygeal hypoplasia. We further classified the 47 spina bifida cases as spina bifida occulta in 6, meningocele/lipomeningocele in 12, myelomeningocele/lipomyelomeningocele in 24 and sacral agenesis in 6. Of the patients with spina bifida 35 had cord tethering. Commonly identified orthopedic anomalies were vertebral malformation in 59 patients, scoliosis in 25, clubfoot in 14 and limb length discrepancy in 8. Ambulatory status in 62 patients of walking age revealed that 37 ambulated fully, 15 ambulated with devices, 2 ambulated minimally with devices and 8 were wheelchair bound. Continence data were available on 61 closed cases. Of these patients 26 were incontinent, including 3 with conduit diversion, 1 with ureterostomy and 1 with vesicostomy. A total of 35 patients were socially continent, of whom 30 catheterized via a continent abdominal stoma and 5 voided/catheterized via the urethra. CONCLUSIONS: Early evaluation for neurosurgical and orthopedic anomalies is vital in these children. Despite the high incidence of spinal pathology most patients ambulate without assistance. Few children with omphalocele-exstrophy-imperforate anus-spinal defects achieve continence via the urethra. Vigilant followup is necessary to identify potentially correctable conditions.

Do current scientific reports of hydronephrosis make the grade?

BACKGROUND: In December 2014, Nguyen et al. introduced the Upper Tract Dilation (UTD) classification scheme, hoping to unify multiple disciplines when describing ultrasound imaging of congenital hydronephrosis. We hypothesized that the academic community has been slow to adopt its use in publications. PRIMARY AIM: To evaluate which hydronephrosis grading systems were currently preferred in publications. STUDY DESIGN: A PubMed® search for hydronephrosis was performed, and abstracts between May 2017 and May 2019 were reviewed. The following data points were collected from the 197 manuscripts meeting inclusion criteria: journal, first and senior author specialty, country, type of article, primary pathology, and classification of hydronephrosis when present. Differences between use of classification system, and author specialty, manuscript type, and pathology were evaluated. RESULTS: First and/or senior author specialties were most commonly pediatric urology, urology, pediatric surgery, and pediatric nephrology. The manuscripts were comprised of retrospective studies (48.2%), prospective studies (25.4%), case reports (15.7%), review articles (9.1%), and systematic reviews (1.5%). The most common pathologies were hydronephrosis (36.5%) and ureteropelvic junction obstruction (21.3%). Over 20% of manuscripts did not categorize hydronephrosis at all. The UTD classification was used by 5.6%, while Society for Fetal Urology (SFU) grading was used by 37.1% and Anterior-Posterior Diameter (APD) measurements by 32.5%. The Summary Table presents grading system by manuscript type, specialty, and pathology. DISCUSSION: There is great variability in hydronephrosis grading. One potential weakness of our study is that sufficient time may not have passed for the UTD system to be adopted. Researchers may need more time to complete and publish their studies, or could be awaiting further validation of UTD utility. They could also be hesitant to change systems when it is unknown if one classification schema is superior to another, either in general or for specific diagnoses. Another weakness is that this study does not quantify what, if any, systems are used clinically. Some attempt to provide objective classification would help clarify the implications of the manuscript for research or clinical applications. Reviewers should ensure that where possible, adequate descriptions of hydronephrosis are included. Education outreach to other specialties may help increase objective grading in research. CONCLUSIONS: The UTD system is not commonly utilized in the literature. SFU grading is applied most commonly, followed by APD measurements. Over one third of manuscripts used no classification system or descriptive terminology.

Syndromic Wilms tumor: a review of predisposing conditions, surveillance and treatment.

Predisposing syndromes associated with an increased risk of Wilms tumor (WT) are responsible for 9-17% of all cases of the malignancy. Due to an earlier age at WT diagnosis and an increased incidence of bilateral and metachronous disease, management of syndromic WT warrants a distinct approach from that of non-syndromic WT. This review of English-language manuscripts about WT focuses on the most common syndromes, surveillance protocols and current treatment strategies. Highlighted syndromes include those associated with WT1, such as WAGR (Wilms-Aniridia-Genitourinary-mental Retardation), Denys-Drash syndrome (DDS), and Frasier syndrome, 11p15 defects, such as Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS), among others. General surveillance guidelines include screening renal or abdominal ultrasound every 3-4 months until the age of 5 or 7, depending on the syndrome. Further, some of the predisposing conditions also increase the risk of other malignancies, such as gonadoblastoma and hepatoblastoma. With promising results for nephron-sparing surgery in bilateral non-syndromic WT, there are increasing reports and recommendations to pursue nephron-sparing for these patients who are at greater risk of bilateral, metachronous lesions. In addition to the loss of renal parenchyma from malignancy, many patients are at risk of developing renal insufficiency as part of their syndrome. Although there may be some increase in the complication rate, recurrence free survival seems equivalent. Some conditions require specialized approaches to adjuvant therapy, as their syndrome may make them especially susceptible to side effects.

Workplace Bullying of Urology Residents: Implications for the Patient and Provider.

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate whether urology residents in the United States feel bullied by nurses, how respected they feel at work, and whether this impacts personal and patient care. METHODS: We distributed an Institutional Review Board-approved online, validated, revised Negative Acts Questionnaire to US urology residents in their first year or above. We evaluated bullying through scoring work (total range 5-25), person (total range 9-45), and physical intimidation (total range 3-15) related bullying domains. We also solicited how respected residents feel by different staff on a Likert scale and the perceived personal and professional impact of bullying. Bullying domains were assessed with descriptive statistics and mean total bullying scores (MTBS) and demographics compared. RESULTS: We received 102 responses (82% MD, 18% DO). One resident reported never experiencing bullying. Overall average MTBS was 28.9 ± 0.9 (17-68). 98.0%, 82.4%, and 77.5% of residents reported at least 1 incident of work, person, and physical intimidation-related bullying, respectively. DO residents reported higher MTBS than MD residents (33.7 ± 2.2vs 27.8 ± 1.0, P = .015). Higher MTBS scores were seen in residents who feared retaliation and considered transferring programs, while lower scores were seen where the resident-nurse relationship was nurtured. CONCLUSION: Ninety percent of residents perceived some degree of bullying and report a negative impact on personal performance and patient outcomes.

Differences in early career operative experiences among pediatric urologists.

INTRODUCTION: Previous research suggests that pediatric urologists feel well trained by their fellowship for cases encountered early in their career. We questioned the complexity and diversity of cases new pediatric urologists were actually performing. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to identify the frequency with which newly trained pediatric urologists are performing various procedures, investigate which factors are associated with case complexity and diversity, and evaluate for differences between male and female surgeons. STUDY DESIGN: Case logs of urologists from July 30, 2007, to June 30, 2013, initially applying for the certifying examination who self-identified as pediatric urologists were reviewed. Data points included cases/dates, and surgeon demographics. An in-depth analysis was performed on 51 index cases from the 71 included pediatric urologists, for which a level of complexity was assigned. RESULTS: Compared with the bottom volume quartile, surgeons in the top quartile performed more cases of minimal (115.9 ± 8.7 vs. 51.7 ± 8.7, p < 0.001), moderate (31.1 ± 2.7 vs. 10.1 ± 1.0, p < 0.001) and significant (10.8 ± 1.9 vs. 2.0 ± 0.4, p < 0.001) complexity. More than 90% logged circumcisions, orchiopexies, and inguinal hernia repairs, while less than 1.5% logged open nephroureterectomies or complete male epispadias repair. Surgeons submitted at least one of 17.2 ± 0.5 (range 5-28) unique codes. The figure presents the percentage of current procedural terminology (CPT) codes performed by each urologist. Surgeons with the least case diversity performed a higher percentage of low-complexity cases, and lower percentages of moderate and complex cases (p < 0.001). Males, comprising 60.6% of urologists, performed more cases than females (342.9 ± 30.9 vs. 229.1 ± 18.1, p = 0.007), averaging more cases of minimal (95.0 ± 6.6 vs. 73.3 ± 4.6, p = 0.018) and significant (6.7 ± 1.0 vs. 2.8 ± 0.5, p = 0.005) complexity. There was no difference in cases of moderate complexity (22.0 ± 1.9 vs. 18.1 ± 2.1, p = 0.201). DISCUSSION: In general, pediatric urologists should expect to perform many minor cases when they enter practice. Women are entering urology in increasing numbers. In our study, female urologists performed fewer cases. This could have implications for the workforce, which in urology in general is expected to decrease. CONCLUSIONS: Case diversity and degree of complexity vary among newly trained pediatric urologists. The urologist with the greatest case diversity never performed 45% of the 51 analyzed CPT codes, while the one with the least case diversity never performed 90% of the codes. Male surgeons performed more operations, particularly those of minimal and significant complexity. The variability in operative experience reinforces the importance of continuing education and mentorship after completion of fellowship.

Bowel management and continence in adults with spina bifida: Results from the National Spina Bifida Patient Registry 2009-15.

INTRODUCTION: Advances in care have allowed most children with spina bifida (SB) to live to adulthood. The majority have neuropathic bowel dysfunction (NBD), resulting in constipation, incontinence, and diminished quality of life. We sought to 1) describe contemporary NBD management and continence outcomes of adults with SB; 2) describe differences from younger patients; and 3) assess for association with socio-economic factors. METHODS: We analyzed data on NBD management and continence from the National Spina Bifida Patient Registry (NSBPR). Patients were segregated into young children (5-11 years), adolescents (12-19 years), and adults (20 years and older). A strict definition of continence was utilized. Statistical analysis compared cohorts by gender, ethnicity, SB type, lesion level, insurance status, educational attainment, employment status, and continence. RESULTS: A total of 5209 SB patients were included, of whom 1370 (26.3%) were adults. Management and continence varied by age and SB type. Oral medication use did not differ between groups (5.2-6.6%). Suppositories and rectal enemas were used only by 11.5% of adults, which was significantly less than among school-aged children. Antegrade enemas were used by 17.7% of adults which was significantly less than among adolescents (27.2%). Adults were more likely to use digital stimulation or disimpaction or have undergone a colostomy. Bowel continence was reported by 58.3% of overall adult cohort: 55.6% of adults with myelomeningocele and 74.9% with non-myelomeningocele. Bowel continence was significantly associated with employment (p= 0.0002), private insurance (p= 0.0098), non-myelomeningocele type of SB (p= 0.0216) and educational attainment (p= 0.0324) on univariate analysis but only with employment on multivariable logistic regression (p= 0.0027). CONCLUSIONS: Bowel management techniques differed between adults and younger patients with SB. Bowel continence was reported by over half of SB adults and was associated with socio-economic factors.