Case Report: On a Boy Growing Up / Living with Bladder Exstrophy
Abstract Purpose To describe some of the obstacles met when growing up with bladder exstrophy. Material and Methods A male patient, now 34 years old, born with bladder exstrophy. Results He went through bladder resection and an ilial bladder was constructed 10 days after birth. Bandage problems led to urine leakage and a correction of the stoma was preformed at the age of 2.5 and at 3. Epispadia/penile plasty were done at the age of 1.5, 2.5 and 11 and a final at 18. As a teen-ager he was very embarrassed at his broad hips and went through bilateral osteotomi at the age of 17. New school/new schoolmates made him feel depressed, sad as “they saw I had nothing in the pants”. He took great effort not letting his parents know his sorrow. No psychological help was offered. Unrealistic expectations on sexual intercourse, penetration not possible, feelings of utter basement. Started tu use alcohol/ getting drunk meeting opposite gender, further frustrations and feelings of deep loneliness. At age 21 he had a 5 years older girlfriend, teaching him sex-variations. At 23, he got married, optimistic on becoming a father, as when growing up his urologist assured his parents and himself “ there will be no problem”, which it turned out to be. Conclusions Specialized urologist, orthopaedist, continiuous psychological support and specialized nurse providing adequate and realistic information about possible/upcoming problems in the future would provide better surgical results and less personal suffering and struggling.