Congenital posterior urethral obstruction: re-do fulguration

Abstract

In patients with congenital posterior urethral obstruction, transurethral fulguration (TUF) is usually the treatment of choice if the patient is in a stable condition. However, few papers have described the proportion of patients who need further fulguration. We reviewed 83 boys with a congenital obstructive posterior urethral membrane (COPUM) to assess the role of re-do fulguration, as judged by prospective video recordings. Between December 1990 and March 2000, 83 boys (aged from newborn to 15 years) underwent cystourethroscopy for investigation of a urethral anomaly and were found to have a COPUM. TUF was performed endoscopically with a hook diathermy electrode. Two to 3 months later boys who had cauterisation had a further urethroscopy and diathermy as required. Of the 83 membranous lesions in the posterior urethra, 38 were considered severe, 20 moderate, and 21 minor. Four patients had inadequate data to be properly classified. Eighteen (47.4%) of the 38 patients who had a severe obstructive membrane equired further endoscopic intervention to obliterate residual membrane elements. As over 45% of patients who had a severe obstructing membrane needed further fulguration, it is important to follow patients carefully and to repeat the cystourethroscopy.