Simple vs Complex Urethral Diverticulum: Presentation and Outcomes

Objective To determine whether complex anatomic configurations of urethral diverticula (UD), namely circumferential UD (cUD), present differently or confer a worse prognosis as compared with simple UD (sUD). Methods After institutional review board approval, a retrospective review of patients who underwent transvaginal urethral diverticulectomy at a single institution over an 8-year period was performed. A total of 43 patients were identified, of which 11 were found to have cUD. These lesions were repaired with complete division of the urethra to access the dorsally located portion of the UD, followed by end-to-end anastomosis for urethral reconstruction with a Martius flap and/or autologous fascial pubovaginal sling performed as needed. Presenting symptoms and surgical outcomes were reviewed. Results Mean age was 50.9 years in the cUD vs 52.7 years in the sUD. Patients with cUD were more likely to present with stress urinary incontinence than those with sUD (90.9% vs 56.3%; P = .04). There was no statistical difference in the rate of preoperative urgency, pelvic pain and/or dyspareunia, postvoid dribbling, and urinary tract infection. Postoperatively, patients with cUD were more likely to have a urinary tract infection (27% vs 3%; P = .2); otherwise, rates of postoperative results were similar. Conclusion Urethral transection and end-to-end anastomosis for the repair of complex UD is a feasible approach and results in similar clinical outcomes compared with the repair of sUD.