Repair of urethral diverticulum by plication.
OBJECTIVE
To develop a new technique to repair congenital and acquired megaurethra without opening the enlarged urethra.


METHODS
A urethral plication similar to the Starr ureteral plication was developed, which allows the urethra to be plicated without opening into the lumen. This technique also allows the operation to be done in conjunction with hypospadias repairs.


RESULTS
Eight of 10 patients had uneventful recoveries. One had obstruction and infection that resolved with drainage and antibiotics. A coronal margin fistula developed in a patient who had urethral plication as well as urethral advancement.


CONCLUSIONS
This new urethral plication eliminates the need for opening the urethra and its associated complications while preserving urethral blood supply and allowing associated hypospadias repairs to be simultaneously performed.
Division of Urology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City.
B W
BW
Heaton
B W
BW
Snow
P C
PC
Cartwright
D002675:Child, Preschool; D004240:Diverticulum / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000379:methods; D014521:Urethra / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000601:surgery*; D014522:Urethral Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*