The perineal urethrotomy approach to posterior urethral valves

We treated 25 patients with posterior urethral valves by a perineal urethrotomy approach that required no sophisticated radiological or endoscopic equipment. The over-all results were considered good in 17 patients (68 per cent) who had restoration of normal micturition and renal function. Of the remaining patients 4 (16 per cent) had some residual stricture that responded to urethral dilation, 2 (8 per cent) had fairly normal micturition with occasional dribbling, 1 had persistent chronic renal insufficiency despite adequate relief of obstruction and 1 died of renal failure. The results of this approach are comparable to other methods described in the literature. The method is particularly appropriate in developing countries or in centers with limited urological facilities.