Nursing care of the bladder exstrophy patient: after primary closure

Abstract

Bladder exstrophy (BE) is a rare congenital anomaly affecting the bladder and urinary tract. Data from the International Clearinghouse for Birth Defects Monitoring Systems and the United States’ Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Nationwide Inpatient Sample estimate the incidence of BE to be 3.3 in 100 000 live births. Two series have reported a 5 : 1 to 6 : 1 male-to-female ratio of exstrophy births. BE care requires specialised surgical intervention, and surgical outcomes are optimised by the thorough and transparent caregiver and patient preparation, experienced exstrophy nursing care, and exstrophy-specific social and emotional support of patients and families. This manuscript will describe the specific nursing assessments and care types undertaken in this endeavour during the February 2023 Exstrophy Workshop held at Uro Care Hospital in Kampala, Uganda.