A CASE OF PELVIC FRACTURE URETHRAL INJURY REPAIRED BY FOURTH URETHROPLASTY

Abstract

Pelvic fracture urethral injury (PFUI) is relatively rare injury, and delayed urethroplasty is the gold standard for its repair. Because a failed urethroplasty results in increased scarring and reduced length of the available urethral segment, the salvage urethroplasty is a urologic challenge. We herein report the case of male patient with PFUI who could be salvaged after three failed urethroplasties. A 22-year-old male who had received a PFUI when he was 4 years old was referred for salvage urethroplasty after two perineal anastomotic urethroplasties and one transpubic urethroplasty had failed, leaving him unable to void and forced to keep having a suprapubic tube placed. The meatus was iatrogenically obliterated due to repeated treatments. Through an incision from the scrotum and right side of the root of the penis to the lower abdomen, the anterior urethra was circumferentially mobilized and transected at the distal urethral stump. The proximal urethral end was identified by palpitation with a metallic sound inserted through the suprapubic tube tract. The covering fibrotic scar tissue was completely removed and 8 anastomotic 4-0 polydioxanone sutures were placed to reapproximate the urethral mucosa. A pedicled gracilis muscle flap was created and wrapped around the anastomosis site and intrapelvic segment of the mobilized anterior urethra. A urethrogram 8 months after urethroplasty showed a wide caliber at the anastomosis site and a ventral midline meatotomy was subsequently performed. He is currently free from any instruments and can void well without the need for further intervention.