An unusual cause of urinary incontinence: Urethral coitus in a case of Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome

Megalourethra and bladder foreign body in a female patient

Key Clinical Message

Undiagnosed female megalourethra can be a cause of iatrogenic bladder foreign body.

Abstract

Foreign bodies in the urinary bladder are relatively rare. Female megalourethra is an extremely rare congenital disorder which is usually associated with Müllerian anomalies. We describe a case of an iatrogenic bladder foreign body and a megalourethra in a young woman with normal gynecological organs.

Results of bladder neck reconstruction using bladder flaps in complex female urethral defects

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

Female urethral defects are rare, congenital defects being more uncommon than acquired, and difficult to manage. Most female urethral defects are associated with incontinence or acute urinary retention. There is a lack of standard protocol-based management of female urethral defects because of limited experience. In this study, we describe our results of using anterior or posterior bladder wall flaps in the management of a variety of female urethral defects.

METHODS

We reviewed the case records of 22 patients who had undergone either anterior or posterior bladder wall-based flap procedures for complex urethral defects at our institute. Patients were assessed by taking a comprehensive history including aetiological factors and details of prior surgical intervention, thorough physical and pelvic examination, cysto-urethroscopy and relevant imaging. These factors, along with availability and status of tissue available for reconstruction affected the selection of procedure for reconstruction.

RESULTS

Out of 22 patients, anterior and posterior bladder flaps were used in 16 and 6 patients respectively. A total of 18 patients became socially dry and 15 achieved complete continence after removal of the catheter and were voiding satisfactorily, whereas the remaining 4 patients had incontinence postoperatively. An additional 3 out of 18 patients had minimal stress incontinence requiring conservative treatment and 2 patients developed voiding difficulty requiring self-calibration.

CONCLUSIONS

Female urethral defects with bladder neck involvement are complex and challenging to manage. Bladder wall-based flaps offer a good chance of successful repair of these complex urethral defects.

Lower urinary tract symptoms in patients with Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome after neo-vagina creation by Davydov's procedure

INTRODUCTION

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in subjects with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome treated by Davydov's laparoscopic neo-vaginoplasty were measured.

METHODS

Davydov's laparoscopic neo-vaginoplasty was undertaken at the Department of Obstetrics/gynecology, San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy, from November 2015 to July 2017, by two highly qualified surgeons. All women completed the ICIQ-UI Short Form questionnaire before and after treatment. LUTS were scored at recruitment, hospitalization, and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery.

RESULTS

Twenty-one women (mean age 21 years ± 5.9) were operated on with no major complications. Mean surgery duration was 79 min (± 55 min). Before the operation, one patient (1/21; 4.8%) reported occasional urinary loss that persisted after surgery and throughout 12 months of follow-up. After the operation, one patient (1/21; 4.8%) had urinary retention, requiring self-catheterization for 2 weeks. One month after surgery, stress incontinence was recorded in one case (1/19; 5.2%) and urge incontinence in two cases (2/19; 10.5%). At 3-month follow-up, these three patients were free of symptoms.

CONCLUSION

The rate of LUTS is lower than that reported by others using alternative surgical procedures. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report validating LUTS after Davydov's neo-vaginoplasty.

Delayed Diagnosis of Microperforate Hymen Leading to Urethral Dilation Secondary to Coital Activity

BACKGROUND

Urethral coitus can occur with vaginal and hymenal anomalies and typically presents with incontinence, dyspareunia, and recurrent urinary infections. Penetration of the urethra occurs unknowingly, and delayed diagnosis permits ongoing urethral coitus and dilation.

CASE

A 23-year-old woman presented to a specialty clinic for a possible vaginal anomaly after failed intrauterine device insertion owing to difficulty locating the cervix. She reported regular menses and satisfying intercourse. Clinical examination revealed a dilated urethra from presumed urethral intercourse and a microperforate hymen with a 1-mm opening.

CONCLUSION

This case highlights the importance of taking a thorough sexual history paired with careful examination of the external genitalia to correctly identify and diagnose vaginal and hymenal anomalies and to prevent long-term complications.

An Unusual Case of Infertility: Urethral Coitus Due to Cribriform Hymen

Urethral coitus is a rare type of sexual practice, usually due to vaginal agenesis or hymeneal anomalies. We report a case of urethral coitus in a healthy couple who were evaluated for infertility. The female partner had cribriform hymen and dilated urethral orifice but did not report any problems except infertility and her genital anatomy was normal. The male partner reported concerns over his penile size but was otherwise healthy. After incision of hymen, they were able to have vaginal coitus and successfully conceived. While urethral coitus is rare, it should be suspected in women presenting with infertility and a dilated urethral orifice.