title: Urethral prolapse: a retrospective analysis of hospitalized cases in Port Harcourt.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Urethral prolapse is a disease of the prepubertal girls and postmenopausal women. It is rare and seen in most cases as a circular protrusion of the distal urethra through the external meatus.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study of cases managed in University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) between January 1989 and December 2000 were analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nineteen (0.4%) excisions of urethral mucosal prolapse out of a total of 4351 gynaecological surgeries were carried out between January 1989 and December 2000 in UPTH. Of the 35 total paediatric gynaecological admissions, there were 17 (49%) cases of urethral prolapse. It occurred commonly between ages 4 and 7 years (63%). Common presenting complaints included vaginal bleeding, vaginal discharge and mass protruding from the urethral opening. Excision was found curative in all cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a place for promotion of female education and community sensitization to encourage early presentation and treatment. This will reduce infectious morbidity and its sequelae in our environment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.
authors.forename: C I
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Akani
authors.forename: D K O
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Pepple
authors.forename: H A A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Ugboma
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D011391:Prolapse; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014522:Urethral Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology