Epispadia is a rare defect of the genitals, which can occur in both boys and girls, being identified early in childhood. This change causes the opening of the urethra, the canal that carries the urine from the bladder out of the body, is not located in the right place, causing the urine through a hole in the upper part of the genital organ.
Although both are alterations in the opening of the urethra, epispadia is rarer than hypospadia, in which the opening of the urethra is in the lower region of the genital organ. Understand better what hypospadias is and how to treat them.
1. Male Epispadia
Male epispadia, also known as penile epispadia, can be classified into distal epispadia, where the abnormal opening of the urethra is near the glans, or total epispadia, when the urethra opens at the base of the male organ and forms a the tip of the genital.
The signs and symptoms of epispadia in the boy include:
- Organ short, wide and with an abnormal curvature upwards;
- Presence of a cleft in the upper part of the penis where urine leaves;
- Urinary incontinence;
- Constant urinary tract infections;
- Bone of the enlarged basin.
In cases where the problem is not corrected in childhood, boys at puberty may experience problems with ejaculation and infertility.
2. Female Epispadia
Female epispadias are very rare and are usually characterized by the opening of the urethra near the clitoris, above the large lips, and some symptoms of epispadia in girls may be:
- Clitoris divided in two;
- Reflux of urine into the bladder;
- Urinary incontinence;
- Urinary tract infections;
- Bone of the enlarged basin.
The diagnosis of female epispadia is more difficult than in boys, which can lead to severe lesions in the bladder and genital area. Thus, it is always recommended that the pediatrician make an assessment of the genital area during childhood, to ensure that the girl is developing properly.
What causes Epispadia
The formation of the genitals is a very complex process that takes place during the gestation and, therefore, any small change can cause a defect. Epispadia is usually caused by a change in the formation of the genitals during gestation and can not be predicted or avoided.
How is the treatment done?
The treatment of epispadia is to have surgery to correct the defect in the genitals and should be performed as early as infancy.
In the case of boys, surgery is performed to open the urethra in the normal place, correct the curvature of the penis and cause the genital organ to maintain its functionality so as not to impair sexual intercourse.
Already in girls, surgery is performed to place the opening of the urethra in the normal place, rebuild the clitoris and correct urinary incontinence.
