What are the symptoms of urachal fistula?

Urachal fistula is a relatively serious disease and requires everyone's attention. If you don't pay attention, it may lead to more serious diseases. After treatment of urachal fistula, rehabilitation training is required, and physical activity should be avoided, a light diet should be maintained, smoking cessation and alcohol restriction should be implemented, and spicy and greasy foods should be avoided. This will allow our bodies to quickly return to normal. So, what are the symptoms of urachal fistula?

1. Causes

The cause of urachal fistula is not fully understood. Although some people believe that it is related to urinary tract obstruction, in fact, only 14% of newborns with urachal fistula have evidence of obstruction; not all patients with severe posterior urethral valves have urachal fistula at the same time. Moreover, urachal closure occurs before the urethra is formed.

2. Pathogenesis

During embryonic development, the bladder descends from the navel along the anterior abdominal wall. During the descent, the urachus runs from the navel down to connect with the top of the bladder. In the late embryonic stage, the urachus is completely closed and degenerates into the median umbilical ligament. If the urachal tube is not completely closed and there is a tube connecting the umbilicus to the bladder, it is called a urachal fistula.

3. Disease Examination

If methylene blue is injected into the bladder through a catheter or through the urethra, blue urine can be seen flowing out of the umbilicus or discharged through the urethra. Voiding cystourethrography can not only rule out urethral obstruction, but also understand the condition of fistula. As for cystoscopy, it is not completely necessary.

IV. Clinical Diagnosis

Almost all patients seek medical treatment for fluid discharge from the umbilicus, which is more obvious when the abdominal pressure increases. The extent depends on the size of the fistula. If the fistula is large, fluid will continuously discharge from the umbilicus, while if the fistula is small, the umbilicus is only moist. 97.5% of the umbilicus is swollen, with local protrusion of granulation tissue or covered with scab.

The diagnosis of urachal fistula is generally not difficult. In suspected cases, a thin catheter is inserted into the umbilicus and fluid will flow out. Testing the urea nitrogen and creatinine content of the fluid can determine whether it is urine.

5. Treatment Methods

Treatment is surgical excision of the fistula, including the umbilicus, and suturing of the fistula at the top of the bladder. A urinary catheter or cystostomy tube is placed after surgery. It should be noted that urachal fistula can occur secondary to lower urinary tract obstruction. If there is lower urinary tract obstruction, it should be relieved.