MANAGEMENT OF URACHAL ANOMALIES IN CHILDREN AND ADULTS

During a period of fifteen years, 9 children and 5 adults with a varie ty of urachal anomalies were treated. Infected urachal cysts were more common in children whereas adults more frequently had infected uracha l sinuses. After careful physical examination, a preoperative diagnosi s could be made in most patients, with ultrasound examination decisive in doubtful cases. Whenever feasible, complete excision of the umbili covesical tract is performed, but in very ill patients, a staged treat ment becomes necessary. The preoperative injection of methylene blue i s helpful in the identification of communicating tracts, all of which should be removed. All affected children should undergo investigation for associated genitourinary anomalies.