[Urethral condyloma in the male: experience with 48 cases].

OBJECTIVES

To review our experience in the diagnosis and treatment of urethral condylomata.

METHODS

From June, 1977 to November, 1994, 64 patients with condyloma acuminatum were treated at our institution. Forty-eight cases who had received no previous treatment were analyzed. The main reason for consultation was the appearance of an exophytic lesion in the meatus. Most of the condylomata were located in the navicular fossa. Treatment was by electrocoagulation in 24 patients, photocoagulation with the Nd:YAG laser in 21 and other treatment modalities were utilized in 3 patients. To determine the incidence of recurrence and response to therapy, we analyzed the data of 34 patients with a minimum follow up of 2 months and a mean of 16 months.

RESULTS

36% had associated cutaneous condylomata. Urethroscopy detected 14.2% of the lesions that were undetectable by eversion of the meatus. Recurrence was observed in 35.2%. There were no differences for recurrence or complications between patients submitted to electrocoagulation and those who were treated by laser photocoagulation.

CONCLUSIONS

Condyloma acuminatum of the urethra is uncommon. Urethroscopy is useful in making the diagnosis and for post-treatment follow up control evaluation. Electrocoagulation and Nd:YAG laser photocoagulation are useful in the treatment of this condition. Recurrence is frequently observed in patients with extensive lesions.