Periurethral abscess.

From 1963 to 1985, 63 periurethral abscesses were treated in 47 men. The records were reviewed to characterize the natural course of the disease. The most common predisposing factors were a history of gonorrhea, previous periurethral abscess and urethral stricture disease. Treatment consisted of abscess drainage, suprapubic urinary diversion and intravenous antibiotic therapy, consisting of an aminoglycoside and a cephalosporin. Mortality was 1 of 63 patient hospitalizations (1.6 per cent). Improved survival over historical cohorts is attributed to the availability of better antibiotics and medical support.