PS-7-2 Closure of Urethrocutaneous Fistulas Caused by Male Genital Piercing Using the PATIO Repair

Urethrocutaneous fistulas are not infrequently seen as a complication of male genital piercing with a ring through the urethra. The PATIO (preserve the tract and turn it inside out) repair has been used to repair these fistulas. We present our case series of seven patients. In the PATIO technique the fistula tract is carefully dissected out but not excised. It is preserved and invaginated into the urethra, suturing the end of the track close to the tip of the urethral meatus. The aim was to manage patients as day cases without catheterisation. Patients were contacted to determine whether they had experienced any late complications or recurrences of the fistula. Peri-operative data was collected contemporaneously. Five patients were operated on as day cases. Two patients were catheterised, one at the patient's request and the other due to surgical considerations. Five attended for post-operative review at 6-12 weeks and one had a telephone interview. One patient was lost to follow up. Five responded to late requests for information for long term follow up.