Bladder exstrophy

Bladder exstrophy care at Mayo Clinic

Your Mayo Clinic care team

• Expertise and experience. Mayo Clinic is a nationally and internationally recognized center for treating bladder exstrophy and one of the few institutions specializing in the treatment of such complex urologic disorders.

  Mayo Clinic doctors trained in pediatric urology have expertise and experience in evaluating and performing surgical repair for infants with bladder exstrophy. Pediatric urologists manage genital and urinary problems that occur in children. They specialize in developmental problems affecting the kidneys, bladder, urethra and genital tract.

  Most infants with bladder exstrophy treated at Mayo Clinic will have the complete primary repair of bladder exstrophy approach to surgery.

  Mayo Clinic also has one of the largest centers in the world for treating adults over age 18 who have bladder exstrophy.

• Unique 'fast track' postoperative protocol. After surgery, Mayo Clinic doctors are usually able to discharge babies home within a week, compared with a national standard of six to eight weeks. This means you'll be able to bring your infant home quickly. Your care team will explain how to care for your baby after surgery.
• Multidisciplinary team approach. Mayo Clinic's multidisciplinary approach brings together expert resources from various specialties to create a patient-centered practice, providing your child — and your family — with the care you need. Together, Mayo's multidisciplinary team provides coordinated, comprehensive care. Your child's team may include doctors with special training in pediatric urology; pediatric orthopedics and pediatric anesthesia; obstetrics and gynecology; pediatric medicine; radiology and genetics.
• Individualized approach. The condition and treatment needs of every child born with bladder exstrophy are unique. Your child's individual needs will guide care at Mayo Clinic.
• Research. Doctors at Mayo Clinic's campus in Minnesota research genetics, risks, causes, and diagnostic and treatment options for bladder exstrophy and other birth defects.

Advanced diagnosis and treatment

At Mayo Clinic, you'll have access to the latest imaging and diagnostic tools. Your child may also have the opportunity to participate in a clinical trial. Mayo Clinic experts work in state-of-the-art research and lab facilities, seeking new medical knowledge and individual-driven innovations.

• Reconstructive surgery. Treatment for bladder exstrophy involves highly specialized reconstructive surgery. Your child may need more than one procedure. Mayo Clinic doctors with special training in pediatric urology; pediatric orthopedics and pediatric anesthesia; obstetrics and gynecology; pediatric medicine; radiology and genetics work as a team to provide your child with the comprehensive, ongoing care needed.
• 3D modeling. Surgeons and radiologists work together to create custom medical models — 3D-printed reproductions of CT and MRI scans — that are highly accurate and specific to each person. These 3D prints give doctors more information than what's provided in a 2D representation of the anatomy.
• Robotic surgery. Surgeons at Mayo Clinic have special expertise in robotic surgery for urinary continence and are studying the application of robotic surgery to complex reconstruction.
• Outcomes research. Mayo is currently leading a multicenter trial studying the outcomes of patients with bladder exstrophy.

• High-risk pregnancy treatment. The Mayo Clinic fetal and maternal care group cares for women who have high-risk pregnancies involving obstetric, medical, surgical or genetic complications. Together with obstetric care providers, they help manage complex conditions before or during pregnancy.

  The fetal care team uses a coordinated, multidisciplinary team approach. Fetal care specialists use imaging techniques to provide a prenatal diagnosis for babies with birth defects. Parents are connected with a neonatologist and a pediatric subspecialist. The fetal care team plans for delivery and helps transition care for the newborn infant.

Expertise and rankings

Each year, Mayo doctors diagnose and treat approximately 45 children born with this extremely rare condition.

Nationally recognized expertise

Doctors at Mayo Clinic who treat bladder exstrophy and the bladder epispadias-exstrophy complex (BEEC) include internationally known experts in pediatric urologic reconstruction. Mayo Clinic's long-standing clinical practice has allowed doctors to follow children's outcomes and progress into adulthood.

Mayo Clinic in Minnesota ranks among the best hospitals for urology in the U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings.

Learn more about Mayo Clinic's urology department's expertise and rankings.

Locations, travel and lodging

Mayo Clinic has major campuses in Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona; Jacksonville, Florida; and Rochester, Minnesota. The Mayo Clinic Health System has dozens of locations in several states.

For more information on visiting Mayo Clinic, choose your location below:

Costs and insurance

Mayo Clinic works with hundreds of insurance companies and is an in-network provider for millions of people.

In most cases, Mayo Clinic doesn't require a physician referral. Some insurers require referrals or may have additional requirements for certain medical care. All appointments are prioritized on the basis of medical need.

Learn more about appointments at Mayo Clinic.

Please contact your insurance company to verify medical coverage and to obtain any needed authorization prior to your visit. Often, your insurer's customer service number is printed on the back of your insurance card.