Management of male anterior urethral strictures in adults. Results from a national survey among urologists in Spain

Abstract

Introduction and objectiveAssessment of urethral stricture (US) management seems important to evaluate the quality of attention and plan educational interventions. We aim to investigate the practice patterns on diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to adult male anterior US among urologists in Spain. Materials and methods23-question on-line survey conducted among all members of AEU (Spanish Urological Association). Demography data and practices on evaluation and treatment of US were included. 1737 invitation letters sent by email, with 21.7% response rate. Data were prospectively collected during 2016. Descriptive analysis and univariate comparisons conducted using X2 test. Statistical significance considered when P ≤ 0.05. ResultsResponders were mainly from Tertiary and Teaching University Hospitals. 63.2% treated ≥10 patients/year with US. Retrograde urethrogram (RUG) was the commonest diagnostic tool followed by uroflowmetry (UF), and internal urethrotomy under direct vision (DVIU) the most frequent treatment. 84.4% limited DVIU for US ≤ 1.5 cm. 62.3% performed ≤5 urethroplasties/year. Anastomotic urethroplasties were performed by 75.7% and graft repairs by 68.9%. Dorsal grafting was preferred rather than ventral. Non-transecting techniques were used by 23.9%. UF was the most common follow-up tool. 88.4% felt that referral units were required. Tertiary hospitals used Patient Reported Outcome Measure (PROM) questionnaires more frequently than secondary centres. High-volume urologists were more likely to use non-transecting techniques and to choose urethroplasty as first choice procedure. ConclusionsMale anterior US in Spain are treated by many urologists, mainly using endoscopic procedures. RUG is preferred for diagnosis, and UF for follow-up. A high percentage of urologists perform urethroplasties, mainly anastomotic repairs, but in low volume.