The double urethra is a diverse spectrum comprising different pathologies. Our proposed classification system of duplicated urethras is clinically relevant as it guides surgical management and allows prognostication of outcome.
Thoracoscopic excision of the sympathetic chain is a simple and safe procedure that relieves hyperhidrosis in all cases and significantly improves the quality of life.
Objectives The objective of this study was to define anatomical and radiological features of the so-called Y-type urethral duplication. Methods The study included four male patients and one female patient with congenital connection between the urogenital tract and the external anal orifice. Investigations included renal sonography, urethrograms, and magnetic resonance imaging pelvis in the last patient. The urethrograms of male patients were carefully reviewed, in addition to available urethrograms of similar cases that could be obtained through searching the literature. Results Unlike cases of urethral duplication, the male patients had always a complete prepuce and a functioning anterior urethra in 25%. The accessory uroanal channel had almost always a constant origin from the posterior urethra. Some tension seems to be exerted by the urethroanal tract pulling on and causing a kink in the posterior urethra. Management was simple in patients without anterior urethral hypoplasia (one male and the female patient). Both were treated by simple excision of the communicating ano-urogenital tract through a perineal approach with an excellent outcome. Histopathological examination of excised tracts revealed stratified squamous cell in the former and transitional cell lining in the latter. In patients with hypoplastic anterior urethra, staged urethral reconstruction was performed in two, and progressive dilatation of hypoplastic anterior urethra was tried in the last patient. Conclusion Several observations would support diagnosing the congenital connection between the urinary tract and the external anal orifice in the male as a congenital fistula rather than an accessory urethra. Confirming and accepting this information may have its impact on changing the current surgical approach.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.