Experience of the Rieser operation for chronic female urethritis. A follow-up study of 42 cases.

Forty-two women with chronic urethritis of 2 to 30 (mean 10.7) years' duration underwent the Charles Rieser operation. The symptoms in all cases were severe and therapy-resistant. The follow-up time was 2 to 27 (mean 12.8) months. Two patients were almost asymptomatic, 6 had only minor persistent symptoms, 8 were somewhat improved but still had symptoms requiring therapy, and 25 had not benefited by the Rieser operation. Two patients had more severe symptoms postoperatively than preoperatively. Initial improvement, lasting 0.5 to 13 (mean 3.9) months had occurred in 28 patients, but was often followed by deterioration. Stress incontinence, present preoperatively in 11 women, was improved in 4 cases and unchanged in 7 after the operation. Sacro-iliitis was associated with the chronic urethritis is 5 patients. It was not improved by the operation. The procedure's mode of action and the complications are discussed.