Presentation and management of urethral calculi

A total of 36 patients with urethral calculi are presented; 34 were males, aged 2 to 65 years (mean 43). Eight patients were under the age of 6 years and presented with retention of urine. Calculi were in the posterior urethra in 56% of the patients, 33% had associated urinary tract calculi, and 47% had other diseases of the lower urinary tract, the commonest being posterior urethral stricture (42%). Of these calculi, 58% could be manipulated endoscopically into the urinary bladder, then crushed. Associated urethral strictures were dealt with by visual internal urethrotomy before manipulating the calculi. Other methods of treatment and their complications are discussed.