Female urethral diverticula

Abstract

— Urethral diverticula are rarely found clinically, partly due to a lack of adequate examination by the urologist. The etiopathogenesis of this pathology is controversial, but the tendency at present is towards the hypothesis of infection. Over a period of 15 years (1976–1991) 97 cases of female urethral diverticula were treated in the Urological Clinics of the Universities of Padua and Brescia and the Urology Units of Treviso and Bergamo. 3 patients had forms of micro-diverticulosis, 89 had single diverticula and 5 multiple diverticulosis. Treatment for the 3 cases of micro-diverticulosis consisted of calibrating the urethra and a meatotomy, while 2 marsupializations and 92 diverticulectomies were performed on the remaining patients: there were no particular post-operatve complications. First-choice treatment by all units was the “typical excision”, which despite being laborious is “anatomic” and “economic” in the sense of sparing structures. The authors underline the fact that treatment must be based on a precise choice of indications and accurate surgery, aimed not only at obtaining immediate optimal results but also at preserving maximum urethral anatomo-functional integrity in case of future pathologies involving the distal area of the urinary tract.