Outcomes of surgical treatment of large paraurethral cysts

Paraurethral cysts are rare in females and are often incidental findings during routine medical examinations. To date, no standardized approach exists for the surgical management of large cysts, which tend to cause the most discomfort to patients.

To evaluate the effectiveness of surgical treatment for large paraurethral cysts through excision and laser vaporization.

The study included 49 female patients diagnosed with paraurethral cysts larger than 4 cm in diameter. The patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 (n = 26) underwent excision of the paraurethral cyst, and Group 2 (n = 23) underwent laser vaporization. All patients were monitored throughout their hospitalization. The parameters assessed included operation time, the number and type of intraoperative complications, the duration of bladder catheterization, and the length of hospital stay.

Laser vaporization was, on average, 8.6 min shorter than excision (p < 0.05), with a strong correlation between the surgical method and operation time (r = 0.70). Intraoperative complications (bleeding, urethral injury, cyst rupture) occurred 2.8 times less frequently in Group 2 compared to Group 1. The length of hospital stay was 1.3 days shorter following laser vaporization. The correlation between hospital stay duration and surgical method was moderate (r = 0.31).

Laser vaporization offers significant advantages for the treatment of large paraurethral cysts, including shorter operation time, fewer intraoperative complications, and a faster recovery period. Therefore, laser vaporization should be considered the treatment of choice for large paraurethral cysts.