Outpatient urethrocutaneous fistula repair with local anesthesia in adult patients

Ann Plast Surg. 2003 Apr;50(4):378-81. doi: 10.1097/01.SAP.0000037205.16159.D2.

Abstract

The aim of this prospective study was to demonstrate that urethrocutaneous fistulas could be repaired under local anesthesia in adult patients without catheters. Between 1998 and 2000, 32 patients with urethrocutaneous fistulas were repaired under local anesthesia. The patients were divided into two groups in terms of whether they did or did not have catheters. The catheterized group (group I) included 15 patients and the uncatheterized group (group II) included 17 patients. Although the uncatheterized patients were discharged the same day as their operation, catheterized patients were discharged 4 to 6 days postoperatively. Patients were reevaluated on postoperative day 7 and month 3 in terms of wound infection, urethral stricture, and recurrence of fistula. All patients tolerated the fistula repair under local anesthesia. The success rate of fistula repair was 93.3% and 94.1% in the catheterized and uncatheterized groups, respectively. During postoperative days 1 through 7, wound infection was seen in 2 patients in group I but was not noted in the uncatheterized group. Fistulas recurred in one patient from each group (6.6% and 5.8%, respectively) after 3 months postoperatively. As a result, the authors suggest that catheterless fistula repair with local anesthesia in the adult age group is an effective, safe, and inexpensive procedure.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Ambulatory Surgical Procedures
  • Anesthesia, General
  • Cutaneous Fistula / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Penile Diseases / surgery*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Suture Techniques
  • Urethral Diseases / surgery*
  • Urinary Fistula / surgery*
  • Urologic Surgical Procedures, Male / methods*