The Magnitude and Treatment Modalities of Urologic Diseases in Patients Admitted to Mekelle Hospital, Northern Ethiopia

Background: The field of urology has undergone unprecedented advances in the past decades and the developments in modern urology which are practiced today have been made possible by the remarkable strides surrounding surgery made in the mid and late 20th century. Objectives: The study was aimed at assessing the extent of urologic conditions and the treatment modalities in the study area. Methods and Patients: A retrospective analysis of all patients with urologic conditions was carried out in Mekelle Hospital during a three year period, from September 2012 to August 2015. Results: Overall, 623 cases were surgical procedures for urologic lesions. BPH, urethral structures and urinary stone diseases were the principal diagnostic features at a rate of 208(33.4%), 135(21.7%) and 97 (15.6%) respectively. Hypospadias 56(9.0%), UDT 18 (2.9%) and bladder tumors 17(2.7%) were other conditions seen in this series. Open prostatectomy 208(33.4%), DVU/Urethroplasty 135(21.7%), open stone retrieval 97(15.6%) and hypospadias repair 56(9.0%) were among the most frequent urologic procedures carried out in this series. Others were orchiepexy/orchiectomy, TURBT, ureteric re-implantation, Anderson Hynes pyeloplasty and MAINZ 2 continent urinary diversions. Conclusion: BPH, urethral strictures, urinary tract calculi and hypospadias were among the major urologic conditions in this series. Open surgical procedures were performed in most urologic lesions. Nowadays, the recent advances in urologic endoscopy, lithotripsy and ECSWL are the preferred treatment options and a substantial effort has to be exerted to introduce the recent advances in urology to achieve contemporary urologic care in the country.