The treatment of post-urethrotomy incontinence in pediatric and adolescent females.

Abstract

Until 1986 many urologists performed currently outdated, redundant internal urethrotomy as standard therapy for recurrent urinary tract infection in girls. We describe the results of therapy in patients who became incontinent due to previous internal urethrotomy. Between 1986 and 1995, 21 female patients with post-Otis urethrotomy incontinence have presented at our department with combined dysfunctional voiding, recurrent urinary tract infection and various types of urinary incontinence partially based on bladder instability and often provoked by abdominal straining. All cases were diagnosed by repeat video urodynamics and ultrasound of the open bladder neck. Endoscopy provided proof of scarring in the bladder neck and urethra. All patients except 1 underwent conservative treatment for at least 2 years, consisting of pharmacological therapy, physical therapy and biofeedback training. Surgical therapy to cure incontinence was performed in 14 cases, including a conventional Burch-type colposuspension in 5, modified needle colposuspension in 4 and complete endoscopic excision of the urethral scars followed by open reconstruction of the bladder neck and urethra in an abdominoperineal procedure in 5. Conservative treatment has been completely successful in 7 patients. Primary open or needle colposuspension was unsuccessful in 6 of 9 cases, including several requiring further surgery to achieve dryness. The results of excising urethral scars with bladder neck and urethral reconstruction were good in 4 of 5 patients at a followup of at least 4 years. When previous internal urethrotomy appears to be an important factor in the evaluation of incontinence, conservative therapy is the treatment of choice. Conservative therapy should consist of biofeedback reeducation of the voiding pattern and physical therapy. When surgery is needed, excision of the urethral scars with reconstruction of the bladder neck and urethra plus colposuspension is superior to colposuspension only.