title: Endoscopic management of infected enlarged prostatic utricles and remnants of rectourethral fistula tracts of high imperforate anus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Infected enlarged prostatic utricles and infected remnant fistula tracts of high imperforate anus are usually managed by a suprapubic, transtrigonal or posterior sagittal approach. We describe a minimally invasive endoscopic approach to these entities.
  
  
  METHODS
  We treated 12 patients with infected enlarged prostatic utricles and 4 with infected remnant fistula tracts using endoscopic techniques. Specifically a resectoscope with a bulb electrode or a cystoscope with a Bugby electrode was used to fulgurate circumferentially the dilated utricle or remnant fistula. After fulguration a Councill catheter was placed in the lesion for 3 to 5 days and urine was diverted via a suprapubic tube for 2 to 3 weeks. Obliteration of the abnormality was verified by a voiding cystourethrogram.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using this technique median postoperative hospital stay was 2 days (range 0 to 7). The enlarged prostatic utricle or remnant fistula tract was completely obliterated in 87% of the cases (62% after 1 and 25% after 2 treatments). Of our patients 13% had a significant (greater than 50%) decrease in utricular cyst size although a urethral abnormality persisted. Postoperative morbidity was minimal. One patient (6%) had a fever for 3 days postoperatively and none has had a urethral stricture during a median followup of 2 years (range 3 months to 4 years).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although it is not a panacea, electrofulguration of an enlarged prostatic utricle and/or remnant fistula of imperforate anus is a simple procedure that has a high rate of success, does not require prolonged hospitalization and is associated with minimal morbidity.
authors.affiliation: Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Husmann
authors.forename: T D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Allen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001006:Anus, Imperforate / Q000150:complications*; D002648:Child; D003558:Cystoscopy; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D011469:Prostatic Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D012003:Rectal Fistula / Q000209:etiology*; D014522:Urethral Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D014548:Urinary Fistula / Q000209:etiology*