Congenital short urethra

Abstract

A surgical technique is described for the short urethra. The malformation is also described and differentiated from penile curvature of cutaneous origin. The urethroplasty involves division of the short urethra and the design of an island flap using penile skin formed into a tube over a sound. The reconstructed segment is placed between two divided segments of the original short urethra and restores its natural length. Complications and results are discussed. We have also encountered cases characterised by a slight curvature of the penis that was corrected after dissecting out the urethra over the full length of the penis. We call this "penile curvature due to anomalous disposition of the urethra", (Diaz Gomez, 1979) and it is remedied by moving the freed urethra 2-3 mm lower with the aid of sutures anchored to Buck's fascia.