title: Rupture of the female urethra in childhood.
abstract: Rupture of the female urethra is a rare disorder, but perhaps more liable to occur in childhood than in adult life. As in the male, it can follow a fractured pelvis, but the level of the rupture is not simply in the membranous region, and is frequently much higher with destruction of the urethra over a considerable length. The vagina is always involved, so that almost inevitably there is a urethra-vaginal fistula. In the low lesions the bladder and urethral function may be adequate, but stenosis of the vaginal introitus can result in a considerable hydrocolpos, leading to a spurious form of incontinence. In the higher lesions true incontinence can occur, and there may be stricturing of the urethra above or below the urethro-vaginal fistula. Methods of surgical repair are discussed.
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010384:Pelvic Bones / Q000293:injuries; D012421:Rupture; D012488:Salpingitis / Q000601:surgery; D014521:Urethra / Q000293:injuries*; D014522:Urethral Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D014548:Urinary Fistula / Q000601:surgery; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000601:surgery; D014621:Vagina / Q000293:injuries; D014623:Vaginal Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D014624:Vaginal Fistula / Q000601:surgery