HYDROCOLPOS

For hydrocolpos to occur in an infant there must be congenital vaginal occlusion and excessive secretion of cervical glands due to circulating maternal estrogens. Failure of degeneration of either the Mullerian tubercle or a portion of the fused Mullerian ducts results in one of the three forms of vaginal obstruction; imperforate hymen, transvers septum, or vaginal atresia. The clinical syndrome is a suprapubic mass, which does not disappear after the bladder is catheterized and emptied, and urinary retention. Pressure on adjacent organs causes obstructive symptoms; poor rectal emptying, cyanosis of the legs, and respiratory embarrassment. Every effort should be made to diagnose hydrocolpos before surgery is undertaken and therby avoid hysterectomy in an infant. © 1969.