Duplication of the male urethra

Abstract

Our experience with 4 male subjects with accessory urethras is reported. The anatomic types, clinical presentations and treatment modalities of urethral duplication are discussed. Our scrutiny of all cases reviewed in the literature led us to classify patients into 3 types, depending upon the anatomic and embryologic features. Type 1 is a complete accessory urethra arising from a separate or confluent opening within the bladder and extending to an external orifice. Type 2 includes accessory urethras that arise from the primary urethra and may or may not extend to a distal orifice. Type 3 is the most unusual anomaly, in which 1 of the duplicated urethras arises from the bladder or proximal urethra and opens onto the perineum.