Urethral trauma in children

We report our 12-year experience in the management of urethral injuries in nine children, six boys and three girls. The most common mechanisms of injury were motor vehicle accidents, followed by straddle injuries. All the injuries in boys involved the anterior urethra, and in girls the proximal or mid-urethra. There were associated injuries in five, including three pelvic fractures. All children were investigated with a retrograde urethrogram. Four were treated non-operatively with insertion of a urethral catheter. Of the remaining five, one had drainage of a penile haematoma, one cystourethroscopy, two insertion of urinary and suprapubic catheters, and one open cystotomy and passage of a guide wire with antegrade passage of a urethral catheter. Complications included one urinary tract infection, one urethral fistula, one urethrovaginal fistula, and two urethral strictures. Final outcome was satisfactory in all nine children. Accepted: 3 February 2000     

尿道内切开术治疗男童外伤性尿道狭窄

目的　探讨应用尿道内窥镜下尿道内切开术 ,治疗男童外伤性后尿道瘢痕性狭窄的效果。方法　回顾性总结 2 1例陈旧性外伤性后尿道狭窄患儿 ,经尿道内切开术治疗的结果 ,分析手术方法、术中注意事项、手术成功率等。结果　 2 1例中 ,12例经 1次尿道内切开治愈 ,6例经 2次手术治愈 ,1例经 3次手术治愈 ,最终由尿道内切开术治愈 19例 ,成功率为 90 .5 % ,患儿排尿顺畅 ,尿流率正常。结论　经尿道镜下尿道内切开术治疗男童外伤性后尿道狭窄 ,是一种微创、简便、安全、有效的方法     

Construction of a neourethra in girls: follow-up results

Female urethral injuries may cause serious morbidity with loss of the entire urethra in some cases. We review the results of construction of a neourethra by the flipped anterior bladder-tube technique in five girls aged 3–18 years (mean 8 years). All had pelvic fractures and had their initial management elsewhere; four were run over by motor vehicles and one suffered a pelvic gunshot injury. Three patients came with a suprapubic cystostomy, one was totally incontinent, and another had a urethrovaginal fistula. Three had an associated vaginal injury. All five patients underwent construction of a neourethra using a flipped anterior bladder-wall tube (FABWT) and have been followed for 18–80 months (mean 44 months). All patients were continent in the daytime and three passed urine spontaneously. Two were managed by clean intermittent catheterization (CIC), one per urethram and other via a continent abdominal stoma (Mitrofanoff). The FABWT technique should be considered as an option in the management of females with severe urethral injury. Accepted: 23 November 1999     

经会阴途径后尿道吻合术治疗小儿外伤性后尿道狭窄

目的　探讨会阴途径后尿道吻合术治疗小儿外伤性后尿道狭窄的适应证、手术原则、并发症。方法　经会阴途径后尿道吻合术治疗小儿外伤性后尿道狭窄或闭锁 35例。结果　随访 2 8例 ,随访率 80 .0 %。2 8例共治愈 2 1例 ,治愈率 75 .0 %。结论　经会阴途径尿道吻合术可作为开放手术治疗小儿外伤性后尿道狭窄的首选术式 ;彻底切除尿道周围瘢痕达到黏膜对黏膜无张力吻合是手术的关键 ;对后尿道狭窄闭锁段长者 ,加用长直针吻合法 ,可取满意的疗效。     

Urethral duplication in males: our experience in ten cases

Urethral duplication is a rare congenital anomaly, affecting mainly boys. Clinical presentation varies because of the different anatomical patterns of this abnormality. We report our experience in ten males affected by urethral duplication. We retrospectively reviewed the records of ten males affected by urethral duplication. Mild cases of distal type I duplications as well as “Y-type” duplication associated to anorectal malformation were excluded. Evaluation included voiding cystourethrography, retrograde urethrography, intravenous urography and urethrocystoscopy. Mean age at diagnosis was 46.7 ± 32.3 months A blind ending duplicated urethra (type I) was present in three patients, two urethras originating from a common bladder neck (type II A2) in three, an “Y-type” duplication in three and a complete bladder with incomplete urethral duplication in one. Surgical management included excision of the duplicated urethra in four patients while a displacement of the ventral urethra (in “Y-type” duplication) in perineal-scrotal or scrotal position was performed in two patients as first stage of urethral reconstruction. Good cosmetical and functional results were achieved in all six treated boys while surgical management was not required in four. Urethral duplication is often associated with genito-urinary and gastro-intestinal abnormalities. Embryology is unclear and a lot of hypotheses have been proposed. We believe that the same embryological explanation cannot be applied to all subtypes of urethral duplication. Management must be evaluated for each case. The overall prognosis is good, in spite of the presence of other severe associate congenital anomalies.     

Post-traumatic posterior urethral stricture in children: how to achieve a successful repair

ObjectiveComplex post-traumatic posterior urethral strictures in children constitute a major challenge to the pediatric urologist. Surgical repair depends primarily on the length of the urethral obliteration. Resection with end-to-end anastomosis is the usual procedure in the face of a short segment stricture. Transpubic urethroplasty and substitution urethroplasty are currently used to treat extensive and complex urethral strictures. We present our experience of the management of children presenting with post-traumatic posterior urethral stricture.Patients and methodsFifty boys with a mean age of 9 years (6–13) with obliterative urethral stricture were operated on during May 1999 to August 2006. Short posterior urethral stricture was treated by excision and end-to-end anastomotic urethroplasty in 40 boys. Long posterior urethral stricture was managed by combined inferior pubectomy in three, transpubic urethroplasty in four and tubed penile fasciocutaneous flap in three.ResultsWith a mean follow-up of 4.5 years (6 months–7 years), all children who underwent perineal anastomotic urethroplasty were successfully repaired. Transpubic urethroplasty was associated with a re-stricture in one child 6 years following the repair. In the group repaired by tubed fasciocutaneous flap, we encountered a distal anastomotic stricture accompanied by a huge proximal diverticulum which needed revision in one child, and another diverticulum with multiple stones in another who was treated successfully.ConclusionAnastomotic urethroplasty in children is feasible with good results. Proper evaluation is needed to choose the best surgical technique for each patient. Tubed fasciocutaneous flap carries the highest complication rate.     

Vesico-cutaneous fistula: A simple method for continent urinary diversion

IntroductionPatients with lower urinary tract anomalies or neurogenic disorders often suffer from voiding difficulties. Clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) is effective for bladder drainage; however, this is often painful. Transurethral catheterization is also impossible in patients with urethral stricture. A Mitrofanoff conduit may solve some of these problems, but a few disadvantages have been reported, including: difficult surgical techniques and frequent operative complications. A vesicostomy is easy to perform but persistent urine leak over the abdomen and diaper rash can be annoying. A better way to achieve continent urinary diversion is indicated.MethodBetween December 01 1998 and December 31 2013, six patients underwent a vesico-cutaneous fistula for CIC. The etiologies included urethral stricture (n = 2) and neurogenic bladder (n = 4). The fistula was created at the bladder dome with only the muscle layer of the bladder sutured to the skin. A Foley catheter was left in place for at least two weeks to prevent stoma stricture. After removing the Foley catheter, regular CIC from the fistula was performed every 2 h during the daytime with a Fr. 10–12 feeding tube, depending on the patient's age. Further stenting during the night in the first six months was necessary to prevent early closure of the fistula. Patients were followed with periodic renal ultrasonography, blood tests and urinalysis in the outpatient department.ResultsFollow-up ranged from 6 months to 16 years. All patients showed improvements in hydronephrosis. Decreased UTI frequency was seen in five patients. Renal function was normal in five patients, whilst the other suffered from chronic renal failure preoperatively. Only one patient had occasional mild urine leakage from the stoma at night, which was once in two weeks. No patient experienced painful or difficult catheterization and CIC becomes easy, even by young children.ConclusionsThe vesico-cutaneous fistula is a simple, effective and tolerable method for CIC. It may be a substitute for or a transition to a Mitrofanoff conduit in some patients.     

Application of endoscopic Ho:YAG laser incision technique treating urethral strictures and urethral atresias in pediatric patients

Endoscopic holmium:yttrium–aluminum–garnet (Ho:YAG) laser incision is a new method applied in pediatric urology recent years. To evaluate its therapeutic efficacy on treating the pediatric patients with urethral strictures and urethral atresias, a retrospective study was performed from June 2001 to July 2005 in a total of 28 pediatric patients who underwent endoscopic internal urethrotomy using Ho:YAG laser in our center. In these patients, 25 had urethral strictures and 3 urethral atresias. Follow-up was done ranging from 2 months to 4 years to assess the treatment. Of the 28 patients, 25 (89.3%) have achieved satisfied result without complications following initial incisions. Two patients with urethral atresias and another with long lesion of stricture (> 2 cm) have postoperative stenosis (10.7%). Among the three reoccurred patients, two were successfully reoperated by Ho:YAG laser and open end-to-end anastomosis, respectively. One patient failed to follow-up. With the advantages of safety, efficacy and minimal invasion, endoscopic Ho:YAG laser incision technique could be used as a primary treatment in urethral stricture patients and is worthy to be popularized further in pediatric surgery.     

小儿Y型重复尿道畸形诊治(附13例报告)

目的 探讨小儿Y型重复尿道的治疗方法,提高Y型重复尿道的诊疗水平.方法 回顾性分析2005年6月到2015年6月收治的13例Y型重复尿道患儿的病历资料.本组均为男孩,就诊年龄1～15岁,平均5.5岁.主要表现为生后自会阴或肛门处排尿,其中4例合并阴茎下弯,其余可伸直,未发现阴茎背曲需要矫正者.术前常规检查包括排尿期膀胱尿道造影(VCUG)、静脉肾盂造影(IVP)及泌尿系超声,明确诊断及有无其他伴发畸形.共有12例进行手术,其中11例腹侧尿道为主尿道,一期行会阴部或阴茎根部尿道造口,二期成型自阴茎根部造口处到阴茎头之间的尿道;1例腹侧会阴部尿道发育纤细而背侧尿道发育正常行腹侧尿道切除术.1例就诊时在当地医院行会阴部瘘管切除术而将腹侧主尿道切除,长期进行尿道扩张治疗,未予处理.结果 13例术后平均随访1～5年.4例经2次尿道成型术后治愈;二期术后发生尿道瘘5例,其中4例再次修瘘,1例待手术;2例二期术后出现尿道狭窄,经尿道扩张及内切开治愈.1例切除腹侧发育不良尿道者排尿正常,术后病理检查证实为移行上皮细胞.当地医院行会阴部瘘管切除术而将腹侧主尿道切除的患儿需每1～2周进行尿道扩张后可正常排尿.结论 Y型重复尿道术前分清主副尿道至关重要,主尿道多位于腹侧,应用带蒂阴囊或包皮岛状皮瓣分期成形尿道可取得较好疗效.     

Micturating cystography and “double urethral catheter technique” to define the anatomy of anorectal malformations

Ano-rectal malformations (ARM) in the male patient may be associated with a fistulous communication between the rectum and urethra. Pre-operative radiological assessment is important to delineate (a) the presence and level of the fistula, (b) the anatomy of the posterior urethra and (c) any anomalies in adjacent structures. Bladder catheterisation can be technically difficult when performing an MCUG and distal loopogram in such patients. This can be due to urethral stricture, tortuous or kinked urethra or preferential passage of catheter into a large fistula and leads to an inadequate study. We describe a “double urethral catheter technique” to enable urethral catheterisation when the fistula is large.     

后尿道瓣膜症

目的探讨后尿道瓣膜对上、下尿路的损害及治疗。方法回顾分析158例后尿道瓣膜病例。年龄14d～15岁，〈1岁59例（37．3％），平均3岁3个月。手术除经尿道内切开瓣膜外，曾做膀胱造口20例，输尿管皮肤造口5例以及睾丸固定3例。结果108例（68．4％）随访3个月～17年，平均2．5g。正常排尿54例，经常滴尿16例。因VUR或输尿管膀胱交界部梗阻需输尿管再植16例，肾切除5侧，肾造瘘4例，膀胱造瘘1例。死亡6例，生长发育落后2例。1例因并发前尿道瓣膜，2例尿道狭窄再次经尿道内切开，1例尿道闭锁做尿道吻合。结论后尿道瓣膜是男儿最常见的先天性下尿路梗阻性疾病，可致严重的上、下尿路损害，需尽早引流尿路，控制感染。减少肾功能损害。1岁以下婴儿如无合适切除镜时应先做膀胱造口。对排尿功能不良患儿应做尿动力学检查，以确定治疗方案。     

Traumatic posterior urethral disruptions in boys: experience with the perineal/perineal—transpubic approach in ten cases

The management of traumatic posterior urethral disruption in children has ranged from primary realignment/repair to delayed urethroplasty. The operative approach may be perineal or transpubic; the advocates of either cite comparable outcome. The anatomic considerations in a child differ from the adult and the management is individualized .We present our experience with the perineal/perineal–transpubic approach in the management of traumatic posterior urethral disruptions in ten boys. A preliminary suprapubic cystostomy was followed by a delayed urethroplasty after comprehensive investigations to delineate the pathoanatomy of the disruption. The urethroplasty began with a perineal exposure and progressed to varying extents to achieve a satisfactory urethral anastomosis. Four cases of bulbomembranous disruption were repaired by perineal approach, whereas six cases of prostatomembranous disruption required a perineal–transpubic approach. Permutations of operative techniques (circumurethral mobilization, corporeal separation/urethral rerouting, pubectomy and omentoplasty) were used. The follow-up assessed micturition patterns, urinary continence and penile erections. At a mean follow-up of 5 years (1.5–12 years), all ten boys void in a good stream and are continent. All have normal penile erections, posture and gait. The paper discusses the rationale and outcome of our management.     

儿童复杂性尿道狭窄的治疗

目的 探讨儿童复杂性尿道狭窄手术方法的选择及成功的关键。方法 25例复杂性尿道狭窄采用不同的手术方法治疗30次，其中采用口腔粘膜管状重建尿道3例。口腔粘膜补片尿道成形3例；经耻骨径路尿道端端吻合11例，膀胱壁瓣尿道成形2例；经会阴径路尿道端端吻合8例；双阴唇带蒂皮瓣Ⅰ期尿道成形2例；带蒂包皮内板Ⅰ期尿道成形1例。结果 术后随访2-36个月。平均18.5个月。一次手术后排尿通畅20例。术后效果不佳5例。经再次手术后排尿通畅4例。结论 儿童尿道狭窄手术方法的选择应根据尿道狭窄段的长短，位置选择合适的术式；口腔粘膜具有取材方便。创伤小，有较强的抗感染力的优点，是一种较好的尿道替代物。     

Y-duplication of the male urethra: use of anterior anorectal wall for posterior urethral lengthening

We have approached two patients with Y-duplication of the male urethra by a new two-staged technique to provide better results. A strip of anterior anorectal wall in continuity with the posterior urethra was used for posterior urethral lengthening and a tubed pedicled prepucial flap was used to reconstruct the anterior urethra without using the native urethra. This was done under a covering colostomy. After a gap of 6 months to allow for healing of the anorectum and to ensure adequate functioning of the perineal neourethra, second stage reconstruction was done using buried scrotal tube for the mid urethra along with colostomy closure. On follow-up at 8 and 12 months, respectively, both children were well with no stricture or fistula. There was normal anal continence and no stenosis. This technique tackles the problem in Y-duplication of the male urethra of lengthening the posterior urethral channel, which is often difficult to bring to the anterior half of the perineum especially if the opening is high up in the anorectum (case 2).     

儿童创伤性主支气管断裂的诊断与治疗

目的：探讨儿童创伤性主支气管断裂的诊断和治疗特点,提高治愈率。方法：对８例儿童创伤性主支气管断裂的诊断和外科治疗及预后进行观察。结果：６例早期诊断急诊剖胸探查行主支气管一期吻合术,痊愈出院,无并发症。２例延误诊断,其中１例伤后３月手术行主支气管对端吻合术,术后出现肺部感染和吻合口狭窄,经多次激光切除肉芽组织,解除吻合口狭窄,恢复正常肺功能,１例伤后６月,因胸腔感染,全肺不张,试吻合支气管后肺不膨胀而被迫行右全肺切除。本组８例随访１～１０年,无死亡,７例支气管吻合术均恢复正常肺功能,１例右全肺切除者,肺功能轻到中度障碍。结论：早期诊断和手术是提高儿童创伤性主支气管断裂的疗效,减少并发症的唯一有效措施。     

Nd-YAG laser core-through urethrotomy in obliterative posttraumatic urethral strictures in children

This study analysed the feasibility and effectiveness of Nd-YAG laser core-through urethrotomy in the management of obliterative posttraumatic urethral strictures in children. Between May 1997 and April 2000, 61 patients underwent core-through urethrotomy in posttraumatic urethral strictures, ten of whom were children (ages 5-15 years). Three patients had had previous railroading procedures, two attempted core-through urethrotomy, and two underwent end-to-end urethroplasties. Patients were on suprapubic cystostomy for a mean period of 12 months with mean stricture length of 2 cm. Nd-YAG laser core-through urethrotomy was carried out using 600- micro m bare-contact fibre as a day care procedure. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. Micturating cystourethrography was performed 6 weeks following urethral catheter removal. Urethroscopy and uroflowmetry were carried out after 3 months. Mean follow-up was 24 months.Nd-YAG laser core-through urethrotomy was seen to be successful in all patients without any complications. All patients are voiding without obstructive symptoms. Four required optical urethrotomy/endoscopic dilatation at least twice. Nd-YAG laser core-through urethrotomy is a safe and effective procedure for the management of obliterative posttraumatic urethral strictures in children     

Is tubularization of the mobilized urethral plate a better alternative to tubularization of an incised urethral plate for hypospadias repair?

Introduction  Trial of a new procedure of hypospadias repair based on the incorporation of the entire available innate urethral tissue for the formation of neo-urethra in patients with hypospadias. Materials and methods  Fifteen consecutive children, nine with distal hypospadias and six with proximal hypospadias (all with severe chordee), whose parents consented to application of a new procedure of hypospadias repair, were the study subjects. This procedure is inspired by Cantwell Ransley procedure for epispadias repair and Snodgras procedure for hypospadias repair. The entire urethral plate was mobilized (i.e., lifted off the corpora) distal to the urethral meatus and was tubularized in two layers; inner urethral skin and outer spongiosal tissue, in Duplay fashion. The repair was reinforced with dartos vascularized flap. The skin incisions on the urethral strip are guided by the disposition of the spongiosal tissue underlying the urethral plate (rather than the conventional U-shaped incision on either side of hypospadiac urethral meatus). In the patients with proximal hypospadias with severe chordee urethral advancement was combined to achieve orthoplasty and a single stage hypospadias repair. The catheter was removed on tenth postoperative day. Results  Even in patients with proximal hypospadias with severe chordee, good single staged repair was achieved without resorting to dorsal plication that would have been necessary had any other methods based on the preservation of urethral plate was performed in these subjects. Therefore, the procedure was found to have an extended applicability to even those patients where tubularized incised urethral plate urethroplsty is not advised. All patients had good results (in 1 year follow-up), except in three early subjects of the series; two of whom developed minor urethrocutaneous fistulae (probably due to frank urinary leak secondary to repeated catheter blockade) and one developed partial glanular wound dehiscence. Conclusions  Though the authors have an initial limited experience with this procedure, the procedure is likely to have a promising future due to its versatility and utilization of the entire urethral tissue.     

Balanitis xerotica obliterans with urethral stricture after hypospadias repair

Three cases of urethral stricture due to balanitis xerotica obliterans (BXO) after hypospadias repair are reported. The first patient showed white, dense scarring on the prepuce before the hypospadias repair and developed a stricture of the urethra after the operation. The second and the third were uneventful for 6 and 2 years, respectively, after the hypospadias repair, and then developed urethral strictures. Pathologic diagnosis of the stenotic lesion is essential. Complete excision of the affected urethra with topical steroid ointment or sublesional triamcinolone injection is recommended for this condition. Although the complication of BXO after hypospadias repair is rare (3 out of 796 cases with hypospadias in our series), surgeons need to be aware of this condition as a cause for late onset of urethral problems. Accepted: 1 March 1999     

Urinary ascites in young infants--report of 9 cases

Nine boys whose age ranged from 5 days to 3 months with urinary ascites were managed in Beijing Children's Hospital. All of them presented with gradual abdominal distension from birth, 5 had dripping of urine, the 5-day old new born had anuria since birth. In 2 other infants one had cystostomy and the other, ureterostomy before admission. Urinary ascites was confirmed by abdominal paracentesis. Intravenous pyelography (IVP) and Voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) in 7 cases showed bilateral hydroureteronephrosis and dilatation of the posterior urethra consistent with congenital posterior urethral valves. The 40-day old infant who had cystostomy followed subsequently by vesicostomy is still waiting for ablation of the valves. The remaining 6 were managed by 2 stage operation, 5 had vesicostomy first, one; ureterostomy. They had valves ablation either through urethra or bladder at the age of 3 months to 2 years old. Urinary ascites disappeared spontaneously after urinary drainage. Two patients died; one due to dehydration after drainage of the obstructed renal pelvis, the other (in 1977) had no urinary drainage for obstructed urinary tract.     

Button vesicostomy: a continent urinary stoma

ObjectiveA modified technique of vesicostomy is described using a gastrostomy button, which could be used as a continent urinary stoma in children with incomplete voiding.Patients and methodsFrom 1998 to 2005, 21 children aged between 4 days and 16 years underwent insertion of button vesicostomy to permit bladder drainage. They had incomplete bladder emptying and clean intermittent urethral catheterization (CIC) could not be established. In six of 23 procedures, the button was placed through a classical vesicostomy (3) or via a suprapubic catheter tract (3). In 17, a standardized technique of button vesicostomy stoma formation was used. The median follow up was 2.5 years (0.75–8 years).ResultsPatients were selected on the basis of clinical need. Idiopathic hypotonic bladder was the most common indication (9), followed by anorectal malformation (5), neuropathic bladder and posterior urethral valves (2 each), traumatic rupture of urethra (1), visceral myopathy (1) and posterior urethritis (1). Granuloma formation around vesicostomy button was observed in five patients. Local infection was observed in three patients and urinary tract infection in four. No peri-button leakage occurred in the standardized button stomas but was seen in all three of the buttons placed in classical vesicostomies, and transient leakage occurred in one of the three patients with a button placed via a suprapubic catheter tract. The median duration of use of vesicostomy button was 11 months (2–30 months). In eight patients, bladder function improved and intermittent drainage was no longer required. Three patients are still using the button, four progressed to Mitrofanoff, four started CIC per urethra, and two reverted to continuous drainage.ConclusionsButton vesicostomy is a useful addition to the options available for a catheterizable continent urinary stoma in children in the short or medium term. The risk of major complications was low although minor complications were common, and the technique was well accepted by patients and parents.