Repair of urethral diverticulum by plication.

OBJECTIVES

To develop a new technique to repair congenital and acquired megaurethra without opening the enlarged urethra.

METHODS

A urethral plication similar to the Starr ureteral plication was developed, which allows the urethra to be plicated without opening into the lumen. This technique also allows the operation to be done in conjunction with hypospadias repairs.

RESULTS

Eight of 10 patients had uneventful recoveries. One had obstruction and infection that resolved with drainage and antibiotics. A coronal margin fistula developed in a patient who had urethral plication as well as urethral advancement.

CONCLUSIONS

This new urethral plication eliminates the need for opening the urethra and its associated complications while preserving urethral blood supply and allowing associated hypospadias repairs to be simultaneously performed.