Urethral injury in children: Experience in a teaching hospital in Enugu, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Urethral injury in children is uncommon, and its treatment is challenging. This study evaluated our experience in the management of urethral injuries in children who presented at the paediatric surgical unit of a teaching hospital in Enugu, Nigeria. Methods: The medical records of patients younger than 15 years old admitted to our centre with urethral injury from January 2008 and December 2017 were reviewed retrospectively. Results: During the period of the study, 11 cases (all male) were managed. The mean age of the patients at presentation was 11 years. Road traffic accident was the most common mechanism of injury, and the bulbar urethra was the most injured part of the urethra. All the patients had urethroplasty through the perineal approach. There was 90% success at first instance. One patient required redo urethroplasty. Conclusion: Urethral trauma is associated with considerable morbidity. Road traffic accident was the most common mechanism of injury, and the bulbar urethra was the part of the urethra most affected. Transperineal urethroplasty was an effective modality of treatment.