[Urethral diverticulosis in women. Analysis of 15 cases].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the aetiopathogenic, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of urethral diverticula in women.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

Over a 10-year period (January 1990 to December 1999), 15 patients with a mean age of 36 years (range: 25 to 46 years) with urethral diverticulum were included in this study. The mean parity was 2 with a history of long and difficult delivery in 6 cases. All patients presented lower urinary tract symptoms with a clinical diverticulum on gynaecological examination (14 cases) or on retrograde and voiding cystourethrography (14 cases) or intravenous urography (one case). Diverticulectomy was performed via a transvaginal approach in the dorsal position.

RESULTS

There were no postoperative complications. All patients were reviewed with a mean follow-up of 3 years. The urinary symptoms had completely disappeared in 14 cases. One patient was reoperated for recurrent diverticulum.

CONCLUSION

Young women with recurrent voiding disorders must be examined for the presence of urethral diverticulum that can be confirmed by cystourethrography. Transvaginal diverticulectomy in the lithotomy position is the operation which ensures the best results.