Experience with the management of urethral stones presenting with urinary retention at Gusau.

BACKGROUND Urinary tract stones are increasing in our societies. Similar to the finding in developed countries, majority of our patients have upper urinary tract stones. Urethral stone is an uncommon cause of acute urinary retention. It presents with an emergency management scenario which is compounded by lack of endoscopic facilities in our hospitals. We present the management of urethral stones presenting as acute urinary retention in our centre. PATIENTS AND METHOD This prospective study was conducted between January 1998 and June 2006. All patients who presented with urethral stones were included. Following the diagnosis, 2% xylocaine jelly was instilled into the urethra after which a Foley catheter was gently inserted to dislodge the stone back into the bladder. Thereafter, the stone was removed by cystolithotomy after complete evaluation of the patient. RESULT There were 7 patients. Their ages ranged between 8 and 45 years. All patients presented with acute urinary retention and pain at the glans. One patient had a history of previous passage of stone in urine. Five stones were located in anterior urethra. All stones were easily pushed back into the bladder. The stones sizes ranged between 0.6 x 1.5 cm and 3.0 x 3.5 cm. There was no urethral injury in any patient. CONCLUSION Urethral stone is a rare cause of acute urinary retention. In the absence of urethral pathology, urethral stone can be easily and safely pushed back into the bladder from where they can be removed by cystolithotomy.