Surgical Treatment and Prevention of Recurrence of Urethral Calculi Associated with Hairballs after Urethroplasty

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate technical aspects and outcome of preventing urethrocutaneous fistula and calculi recurrence in surgical treatment of urethral calculi associated with hairballs after urethroplasty. Patients and Methods: Sixteen patients who had urethral calculi associated with hairballs after urethroplasty underwent urethrolithotomy and trimming and epilation of the neourethra. While operating, we made a staggered incision of the skin and urethra, carefully su-tured the urethral incision, and covered it by well-vascularized tissue. A tube-in-tube stent method was performed on the latter 12 patients for better drainage of the exudates that accumulated in the urethra. Results: All calculi were successfully removed. Surgical site infection occurred in the last one of the former 4 patients and resulted in an urethrocutaneous fistula. There were no other complications. All patients were followed up for 2-7 years; no urethral stenosis or recurrence of calculi was observed, and remarkable reduction of urethral hair was obtained. Conclusions: Urethrolithotomy and trimming and epilation of the neourethra seem to be appropriate treatments for urethral calculi associated with hairballs after urethroplasty. Full attention should be paid to fistula prevention.