ASSOCIATIONS OF URACHAL ABNORMALITIES - DOES PATENCY OF THE URACHUS OCCUR BECAUSE OF DISTAL URINARY-TRACT OBSTRUCTION

During the period 1975 to 1990, 31 patients with urachal remnants were treated at the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne. The majority pre sented with an ''umbilical discharge'' or ''omphalitis''. Urinary disc harge was observed in 9 patients. Although 2 of these had complex asso ciated anomalies, none had posterior urethral valves or other causes o f distal urinary tract obstruction, a previously considered cause of p atency of the urachus. All 31 children have done well following surger y, with no ongoing problems from their urachal remnants and no evidenc e of distal urinary tract obstruction. The importance of the previousl y-described association is questioned.