Surgical Management of Genitourinary Tuberculosis: our Experience and review of literature

Background: Genitourinary tuberculosis is one of the most common forms of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis. Owing to a myriad of clinical presentations and discrepancies in the diagnostic modalities, patients usually present late, which results in a high number of them requiring surgical intervention. The present study aims to retrospectively analyze the role of surgery in genitourinary tuberculosis. Patients and method: All patients diagnosed with genitourinary tuberculosis at our centre between October 2017 and September 2019 were included in the study. The mode of presentation, duration of symptoms, investigations performed, treatment received, and follow-up were studied. Results: Out of 25 patients diagnosed with genitourinary tuberculosis (GUTB), there were 15 (60%) males and 10 (40%) females. The mean age of presentation was 40.84 years. Nineteen (76%) patients underwent surgical intervention, and many patients required more than one surgical procedure. A reconstructive procedure was carried out in seven patients. At a median follow-up of 12 months, all patients did well, showing no relapse. Conclusion: Surgery, along with antitubercular treatment, is the key to the management of GUTB presenting with structural damage. However, surgery can be ablative or reconstructive, depending on various factors discussed in the present study. This preserves or restores the optimal function of the genitourinary system affected by the mycobacterium bacilli.