title: Reconstruction of the female urethra: versatility, complexity and aptness.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Female urethral anomalies, whether congenital or acquired, are rare. Urethral defects are usually if not always associated with variable degrees of incontinence. In this case series we demonstrate the approach in management and surgical outcome of congenital and traumatic urethral anomalies.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted on 13 patients with an age range of 2 to 38 years (median 20). Of these patients 4 had female epispadias, 1 had hypospadias, 3 had traumatic urethral loss and 2 had iatrogenic trauma involving the urethra. There were 2 patients with urogenital sinus syndrome and 1 patient had urethral prolapse.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After the first stage of repair 4 patients were dry and socially satisfied, and no further intervention was needed. However, in 9 patients a second intervention was necessary to achieve continence. Notably 3 patients empty the bladder through clean intermittent catheterization.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Female urethral defects are usually complex. Congenital causes are associated with severe incontinence. Repair of such defects is challenging, yet 1-stage reconstruction is feasible and potentially successful.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Voiding Dysfunction and Female Urology, Urology and Nephrology Center, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt. Bassem_wadie@mans.edu.eg
authors.forename: Bassem S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Wadie
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Elhifnawy
authors.forename: Albair A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Khair
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004842:Epispadias / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011391:Prolapse; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014521:Urethra / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000293:injuries*; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D013520:Urologic Surgical Procedures