Flaps for bulbar urethral ischemic necrosis in pelvic fracture urethral injury

Abstract

Bulbar urethral ischemic necrosis (BUIN) is an iatrogenic entity resulting from repeated attempts at performing anastomotic urethroplasty for pelvic fracture urethral injuries. Etiologically speaking, BUIN is related to a compromised blood supply of the bulbar urethra, which normally relies on anterograde supply from bulbar arteries and retrograde supply from recurrent branches of dorsal penile arteries, through the glans. At each transection of the bulbar urethra, both the anterograde and retrograde supplies are compromised, increasing the risk of BUIN. Even though this term is widely used among reconstructive urologists, BUIN is orphan of an accepted scientific definition. We aim to report our personal perspective on BUIN, to identify factors associated with its occurrence, and to describe the management options in these patients.