SUBURETHRAL ABSCESS - A COMPLICATION OF PERIURETHRAL COLLAGEN INJECTION THERAPY

Background: Urinary tract infection after collagen injection is well d ocumented. Other adverse reactions are rare. Cases: Three women experi enced suburethral abscess after repeat periurethral injections. All pa tients received local skin preparation and postprocedural antibiotics. Symptoms failed to resolve with antibiotics. The first two patients p resented after 5 weeks and 10 days with irritative voiding symptoms an d a tender suburethral swelling. The first patient was treated with ex cision. Spontaneous rupture into the urethra occurred with the second. The third woman presented with acute urinary retention at 102 days. A large suburethral mass was drained successfully in the office. Conclu sion: Suburethral abscess may be a delayed complication of periurethra l collagen injections, not preventable by postprocedural antibiotics. Drainage is required, (Obstet Gynecol 1998;92:650-2. (C) 1998 by The A merican College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.)