Urethral prolapse: contemporary report on a modified ligation over a urethral catheter treatment approach.

BACKGROUND: Most contemporary series on urethral prolapse report either on the use of excisional or conservative treatment approaches.

OBJECTIVES: To introduce a modified ligation over a Foley catheter treatment method for urethral prolapse that addresses most of the previously reported complications.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Five consecutive patients with urethral prolapse treated between 2003 and 2011, all using the ligation method on an outpatient basis were studied prospectively. Maintaining the inflated balloon of the Foley catheter with timed removal of the catheters among other modifications to the original technique is further described in the article. The main outcome measures were to evaluate for recurrence, post-operative appearance of the urethral orifice and satisfaction of parents. Secondarily the actions of the parents of the patients and those of the receiving physicians were also recorded.

RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 6 years old (ranging from 3 to 8 years). All parents suspected sexual molestation and in two cases, the suspected perpetrators were verbally threatened of dire consequences of their actions if proven. None of the receiving medical personnel were aware of this condition. Maximum length of catheterization was for 4 days. The post treatment urethral openings appeared normal and there were no complications.

CONCLUSIONS: The ligation method with attention to the modifications described further in the article is a simple, safe and cost effective option for the management of urethral prolapse. Maintaining the inflated balloon of the Foley catheter with timed catheter removal especially adds predictability to this technique.