Is it an abnormal connection between the urethra and the ureter? (Urethrocutaneous Fistula) Let's talk about this

Do you also experience unusual urine leakage when you urinate ? Or do you get frequent urinary tract infections? This can be a bit embarrassing and embarrassing to talk about. But it is a medical condition that needs to be discussed and treated. Today we are going to talk about a condition called Urethrocutaneous Fistula, which can cause symptoms like these.

Simply put, what is Urethrocutaneous Fistula?

Okay, let's put it very simply. The tube that carries urine out of your body is called the urethra. A urethrocutaneous fistula is an abnormal connection or hole that develops between the urethra and your genitals. It's like a small hole in a water main that leaks water in the other direction.

This hole can connect to the urethra from anywhere in the skin of your genital area. This means that when you urinate , some urine leaks out of this new hole. This not only causes urine leakage, but also increases the risk of frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Is this situation serious?

Yes, this is not a condition to be taken lightly. A Urethrocutaneous Fistula does not heal on its own . This means that it cannot be cured by taking medicine alone. To cure it, surgery (an operation) is definitely required. Therefore, if you have symptoms, it is very important to see a doctor as soon as possible.

What are the symptoms? How do you recognize this?

There are two main and most obvious symptoms of this condition. You may have both, or you may have just one.

Why is this happening? What are the reasons for this?

The main reason for this is a previous surgery. This can occur as a complication after surgery for a condition called ``hypospadias'' that is present at birth, especially in boys. Apart from that, there are other reasons as well.

• Other surgeries: It can also occur very rarely after other surgeries involving the urethra, for example, urethroplasty or possibly circumcision.
• Infection: Sometimes an infection can cause pus to collect inside the tissue and form an abscess. After the abscess heals, the area may drain, leaving a small, tunnel-like opening that connects to the skin.
• Injury: This condition can also be caused by an accident involving a blunt object to the genital area (e.g., being hit hard by a cricket ball) or a `straddle injury` caused by falling on a place such as the handlebars of a bicycle.
• Other rare causes: Very rarely, this condition can be present from birth. There is also a risk of developing such conditions due to mismanaged diabetes.

How exactly does the doctor find this?

When you go to see a doctor, he or she may suspect this based on your symptoms. There are a few tests that can be done to confirm your suspicion. Don't be afraid of these tests, they are done to find out exactly where the problem is and what it looks like.

How is it treated?

As we mentioned earlier, the only effective treatment for this is surgery. However, the type of surgery performed can vary from person to person. It depends on the size of the fistula, its location, and whether there is more than one.

• Small fistulas (less than 2 millimeters): These can usually be treated with a simple surgery. The doctor will stitch the opening closed.
• Large fistula: This requires a slightly more complicated surgery. If the skin around the opening is not healthy enough, the surgeon may need to take a skin flap from another part of the body and graft it into the area, creating a good, strong "waterproofing" layer.

After surgery, you will need to have a urinary catheter inserted to drain urine from your bladder while you recover. You will likely have to stay in the hospital overnight.

Will I recover quickly after the surgery?

Yes, the success rate of these surgeries is very high. According to one study, the success rate is about 89%. Everyone's body is different, so recovery time may vary slightly. In general,

• The swelling and bruising that occurs after surgery will subside within a few weeks.
• It can take about six weeks to fully recover.

If symptoms persist after the first surgery, the doctor may decide to perform a more complex surgery. However, it is important to wait at least six months for the area from the first surgery to fully heal before performing a second surgery.