Congenital anterior urethral diverticulum in children

Congenital anterior urethral diverticulum (CAUD) is an uncommon condition in children usually presenting as a fluctuant ventral penile swelling. Retrospective data of nine patients with CAUD were analyzed. Patients presented with penile swelling (n=7), recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) (n=5), and poor urinary stream (n=2). One patient who had gross pyuria was treated with initial marsupialization of the diverticulum and later underwent a definitive surgical procedure. One had deranged renal function, grade IV vesicourethral reflux (VUR), and UTI and was treated with initial urinary diversion followed later by excision of the diverticulum and urethral reconstruction. Of the seven patients who underwent primary repair of the diverticulum, all except one had a normal urethrogram on follow-up. One patient developed a stricture of the urethra that was treated with dilatations and is presently asymptomatic. In the two patients who had bilateral VUR, one grade III and the other grade IV, preoperatively, the reflux subsided and did not require antireflux surgery. Only one patient is on low-dose urinary antibiotic prophylaxis and presently has grade II reflux. Primary excision and repair is the preferred mode of treatment for CAUD. CAUD producing obstructive uropathy and VUR can be managed conservatively. In the presence of gross pyuria, marsupialization of the diverticulum followed by definitive surgery at a later date is safe and recommended. Accepted: 9 March 2000