Urinary and Sexual Outcomes Following Bulbar Urethroplasty–An Analysis of 2 Common Approaches

Abstract

ObjectiveTo report success and patient reported urinary and sexual outcomes of patients who underwent anastomotic urethroplasty and dorsal buccal onlay urethroplasty. Materials and MethodsPatients who underwent primary transecting anastomotic or dorsal buccal onlay urethroplasty for bulbar strictures at our institution between 1998 and 2015 were analyzed. Patients who had a prior urethroplasty, involvement of a different portion of the urethra, or a diagnosis of lichen sclerosis (LS) or hypospadias were excluded. Outcomes were assessed by cystoscopy at 4 months, validated questionnaires assessing urinary, erectile, and ejaculatory function at the time of their most recent assessment. ResultsA total of 40 and 139 patients were included in the dorsal buccal and anastomotic groups, respectively. Wide patency at 4-month cystoscopy was 97.5% and 100% (P= .06) and the long-term success was 95% and 99.3% (P= .06) with a mean follow-up of 51.4 and 63.3 months. Patient reported outcomes were similar with 2 exceptions: postvoid dribbling was reported more often in the onlay group (28.1% vs 8.3%, P< .0001), and tethering with erections in the anastomotic group (23.4% vs 3.1%, P= .008). Ninety-eight percent of patients in the anastomotic group and 91% in the dorsal buccal onlay group would choose their surgery again (P= .07). ConclusionBoth anastomotic urethroplasty and dorsal onlay graft are associated with high success with comparable satisfaction. Patient reported outcome measures were similar regardless of approach, despite inherent differences in stricture length. Our data indicates that anastomotic urethroplasty should not be avoided due to concerns of sexual side effects.