Urethral prolapse: A retrospective anlysis of hospitalised cases in Port Harcourt

Abstract

Urethral prolapse is a disease of the prepubertal girls and postmenopausal women. It is rare and seen in most cases as a circular protrusion of the distal urethra through the external meatus. A retrospective study of cases managed in University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) between January 1989 and December 2000 were analysed. Nineteen (0.4%) excisions of urethral mucosal prolapse out of a total of 4351 gynaecological surgeries were carried out between January 1989 and December 2000 in UPTH. Of the 35 total paediatric gynaecological admissions, there were 17 (49%) cases of urethral prolapse. It occurred commonly between ages 4 and 7 years (63%). Common presenting complaints included vaginal bleeding, vaginal discharge and mass protruding from the urethral opening. Excision was found curative in all cases. There is a place for promotion of female education and community sensitization to encourage early presentation and treatment. This will reduce infectious morbidity and its sequelae in our environment.