children s health issues
Urethra Defects
Treatment of Urethra Defects
Usually surgical repair Defects of the urethra that cause symptoms, such as a blockage, usually need to be surgically corrected. Children who have a blockage in the urethra have surgery to open the blockage as soon as possible. Children whose urethra is abnormal, narrow, or missing may need surgery to correct these defects. Boys who have posterior urethral valves have surgery when they are diagnosed. Surgery is done to relieve the blockage and prevent further kidney damage. The surgical procedure is usually done with a cystoscope (a small tube with a camera on the end that is inserted into the urethra) to cut the extra tissue that is causing the obstruction. Even after surgery, the bladder may not function normally and boys may need catheterization or additional surgery. Catheterization is draining the bladder by inserting a thin, flexible tube (catheter) through the urethral opening into the bladder. Boys who have hypospadias may have surgery to repair the defect and correct any other existing defects such as chordee depending on the degree of severity. Girls who have urethral prolapse may be given a cream that contains estrogen to lessen symptoms. Urethral prolapse usually goes away with time and rarely requires surgery. 