title: [Anterior urethral valves].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To discuss clinical signs, diagnostic tools and therapeutics of anterior urethral valves, an obstructive anomaly of the urinary system in males.
  
  
  METHODS
  Signs of urinary tract obstruction were identified on pre-natal ultrasound in two male fetuses and the diagnosis of anterior urethral valves was made through post-natal evaluation. As an initial treatment, vesicostomy was performed in both patients. Later, the valves were fulgurated using an endoscopic procedure. During the follow-up period both patients presented normal renal function.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Anterior urethral valves are a rare form of urethral anomaly that must be ruled out in boys with pre-natal ultrasound indicating infravesical obstruction. Vesicostomy used as an initial treatment rather than transurethral fulguration may prevent potential complications that can occur due to the small size of the neonatal urethra.\par
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil. stucci@convex.com.br
authors.forename: Silvio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tucci
authors.forename: Paulo B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Franco
authors.forename: Carlos A F
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Molina
authors.forename: Haylton J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Suaid
authors.forename: Adauto J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Cologna
authors.forename: Antônio C P
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Martins
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011859:Radiography; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D014521:Urethra / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
vernacular_title: Válvula de uretra anterior.