Endoscopic Management of Infected Enlarged Prostatic Utricles and Remnants of Rectourethral Fistula Tracts of High Imperforate Anus

PURPOSE: Infected enlarged prostatic utricles and infected remnant fistula tracts of high imperforate anus are usually managed by a suprapubic, transtrigonal or posterior sagittal approach. We describe a minimally invasive endoscopic approach to these entities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We treated 12 patients with infected enlarged prostatic utricles and 4 with infected remnant fistula tracts using endoscopic techniques. Specifically a resectoscope with a bulb electrode or a cystoscope with a Bugby electrode was used to fulgurate circumferentially the dilated utricle or remnant fistula. After fulguration a Councill catheter was placed in the lesion for 3 to 5 days and urine was diverted via a suprapubic tube for 2 to 3 weeks. Obliteration of the abnormality was verified by a voiding cystourethrogram. RESULTS: Using this technique median postoperative hospital stay was 2 days (range 0 to 7). The enlarged prostatic utricle or remnant fistula tract was completely obliterated in 87% of the cases (62% after 1 and 25% after 2 treatments). Of our patients 13% had a significant (greater than 50%) decrease in utricular cyst size although a urethral abnormality persisted. Postoperative morbidity was minimal. One patient (6%) had a fever for 3 days postoperatively and none has had a urethral stricture during a median followup of 2 years (range 3 months to 4 years). CONCLUSIONS: Although it is not a panacea, electrofulguration of an enlarged prostatic utricle and/or remnant fistula of imperforate anus is a simple procedure that has a high rate of success, does not require prolonged hospitalization and is associated with minimal morbidity.