Bulbar Urethral Reconstruction Research Articles

Многоэтапные операции при стриктурах передней уретры: оценка сексуальной функции.

Introduction. Any sexual dysfunction or complications associated with urethral stricture reconstruction can negatively affect quality of life and patient satisfaction with treatment results, even if the operation is considered 'successful' and urethral patency is restored. According to the literature data, the frequency of erectile dysfunction detected after urethroplasty varies from 0 to 40%. However, most publications are focused on the study of sexual disorders caused bulbar urethral reconstruction and one-stage surgical techniques. Purpose of the study. To evaluate sexual function in patients undergoing multi-stage urethroplasty. Materials and methods. The study included 73 men aged 18–84 years who underwent multi-stage urethroplasty for the anterior urethral structures in 2010–2019. Penile strictures were present in 39 (53.4%) patients, bulbar strictures in 7 (9.6%), penile bulbar strictures in 15 (20.5%) and multifocal strictures in 12 (16.4%) cases. The length of the strictures was 7.27 ± 3.26 (2–18) cm. The effect of staged urethral surgery on sexual function was studied using the IIEF-5, MSHQ-EjD, and MSHQ-InS questionnaires. The mean time from surgery to evaluation of sexual function was 67.8 ± 32.3 (14–134) months. Wilcoxon signed rank test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Kruskal-Wallis H test were used to test for differences in preoperative and postoperative values. Differences were considered significant at p < 0.05. Results. There were no significant changes in the initial indicators of the IIEF-5 questionnaire compared to the postoperative ones (19.67 ± 3.45 (5 – 25) vs 21.73 ± 2.47 (6 – 24) points; the mean difference was (Δ) 2.1, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 16.1 – 20.2, p = 0.468). The total score of the MSHQ-EjD questionnaire increased from 14.67 ± 3.33 (1 – 28) to 25.41 ± 5.65 (1 – 34) points, the mean difference (Δ) was 10.8, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) – 15.4 – 18.9 (p < 0.001). Similar improvements were observed in the analysis of preoperative and postoperative scores of the MSHQ-InS questionnaire (17.31 ± 4.67 (5 – 30) vs. 24.61 ± 4.13 (8 – 30) points; Δ = 7.2; 95% CI: 15.4 – 18.8, p = 0.036). Conclusions. Patients who underwent multi-stage urethroplasty have minimal changes in erectile function and significant improvements in ejaculatory function, as well as the expressiveness of sexual satisfaction.

PROSPECTIVE COMPARATIVE STUDY ON OUTCOMES OF VENTRAL ONLAY BUCCAL MUCOSAL GRAFT URETHROPLASTY WITH OR WITHOUT FIBRIN GLUE.

Objectives: We described the use of brin glue in ventral onlay Buccal Mucosal Graft Urethroplasty (BMGU) in patients of bulbar urethral stricture and compared the outcome without brin glue. Methods: Sixty patients underwent bulbar urethroplasty with ventral onlay buccal mucosal graft and were included in this study. They were divided into 2 groups with 30 in each with group 1 with brin glue and group 2 without brin glue. The urethra was mobilized from the corpora cavernosa and opened along its ventral surface. The buccal mucosal graft was applied in the standard ventral onlay technique. Intraoperative evaluation included the lengths of surgery, stricture, and admission. Patients were followed up at 3 and 6 months in the outpatient department and primary outcome measures, that is, IPSS and Qmax were recorded at each follow-up along with complications if any. Results: No signicant difference was observed in mean lengths of surgery, stricture and admission, and distribution of pre-op IPSS and Qmax between the two groups. While a signicant difference was observed in distribution of IPSS and Qmax between the two groups at 3 months and 6 months follow-up. Distribution of early complications was observed at 3 weeks follow-up after surgery with a peri catheter RGU in both groups. 3 patients were presented with a leak in group 1 and 4 patients in group 2. At 3 months 2 patients were showing complications while at 6 months follow-up only 1 patient was showing complications in each group. Conclusions: The use of brin glue represents a slight but signicant step toward the perfection of the surgical technique of bulbar urethral reconstruction.

VeSpAR trial: a randomized controlled trial comparing vessel-sparing anastomotic repair and transecting anastomotic repair in isolated short bulbar urethral strictures

BackgroundVessel-sparing anastomotic repair (vsAR) has been developed as a less traumatic alternative to transecting anastomotic repair (tAR) to treat isolated short bulbar urethral strictures. This vessel-sparing technique could result in improved functional outcomes without jeopardizing the excellent surgical outcome after (transecting) anastomotic repair. The purpose of this study is to directly compare vsAR and tAR for both surgical and functional outcomes.MethodsThis trial is a prospective, interventional, multi-center, single-blinded, 1:1 randomized, controlled, non-inferiority, phase II trial. Sample size calculation resulted in a required sample size of 100 patients (50 patients per arm). Trial participants will be randomized by an independent third party using a computer-based random sequence generator with permuted blocks of variable size. The primary objective of this trial is to show that vsAR is non-inferior to tAR in terms of failure-free survival after 24 months of follow-up, considering a non-inferiority limit of 10%. Failure is defined as the inability to pass a 16-Fr flexible cystoscope through the reconstructed area without damaging the urethral mucosa. Secondary end-points mainly include differences in postoperative complications and changes in functional outcome parameters, which will be assessed with validated questionnaires. All participants are scheduled for follow-up at 3, 12, and 24 months postoperatively.DiscussionThis trial will provide level Ib evidence about the differences in both surgical and functional outcome between vsAR and tAR, which may importantly scape the future of bulbar urethral reconstruction. Depending on the trial results, this phase II trial may generate a larger phase III trial with more statistical power and a lower alpha value.Trial registrationThis trial is registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03572348) and in the Belgian Clinical Trial Registry (B670201837335). The trial was registered prospectively. Registered on 28 June 2018.

Robotic-assisted Proximal Perineal Urethroplasty: Improving Visualization and Ergonomics

ObjectiveTo describe the use of the robotic platform for proximal suture placement during perineal urethroplasty in the posterior and proximal anterior urethra. Repair of posterior urethral and proximal bulbar strictures requires deep perineal dissection, making visualization and accurate placement of sutures challenging. The robotic platform has demonstrated benefits in these characteristics in deep pelvic surgery. MethodsWe report a retrospective review of 10 patients who underwent robotic-assisted urethroplasty at a single institution by a single surgeon in a 1 year period. All patients underwent a standard perineal dissection with robotic-assisted placement of proximal sutures. Postoperative outcomes include urethroplasty leak rate as determined by voiding cystourethrograms, urethroplasty success rate, and perioperative complications. ResultsThe mean age of this cohort was 43 years old (14-68). Average stricture length was 2.2 cm (1.5-3.0 cm) and most frequently in the bulbar urethra (5/10). Seven patients underwent nontransecting urethroplasties while 3 underwent transecting anastomotic repair. At postoperative voiding cystourethrograms, no patient had urinary extravasation. Average set-up time for the robotic portion of the surgery was 15 minutes with 30-45 minutes needed for suture placement. ConclusionRobotic-assisted urethroplasty provides excellent visualization and ergonomics for posterior and proximal bulbar urethral reconstruction. This is particularly helpful in patients with narrow pelvic anatomy and long distances from the perineal skin to the proximal urethral edge. Operative and postoperative outcomes are comparable to the standard approach with improved surgeon comfort and visualization. Additional follow-up is required to assess long-term outcomes in comparison to a standard approach.

Urethroplasty Practice Patterns of Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgeons

IntroductionTo our knowledge there are no studies evaluating urethroplasty practice patterns among genitourinary reconstructive surgeons. MethodsAn electronic survey was sent to members of the Society of Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgeons. Respondents were queried regarding approach to bulbar urethral reconstruction in 6 index cases. ResultsA total of 91 society members who regularly treated men with urethral strictures responded to the survey. For a 1.5 cm stricture excision and primary anastomosis was the preferred treatment, although less unanimously than expected (only 83% in older men and 67% in younger men). For 2.5 cm strictures urethroplasty with buccal mucosal graft was the preferred treatment for a 35-year-old man, and excision and primary anastomosis for a 65-year-old man. Excision and primary anastomosis was preferred less frequently in younger patients and in patients with longer strictures (Cochran Q test, p <0.001). No other variables were independently associated with use of excision and primary anastomosis, but there were trends toward increased use of excision and primary anastomosis in higher volume surgeons and surgeons who trained fellows. Of the respondents 90% harvest their own buccal grafts, with 46% leaving harvest sites open and 36% closing them. Of the respondents 48% use stricture location to determine graft placement, while 33% use dorsal onlay and 19% use ventral onlay when substitution urethroplasty is chosen. ConclusionsUrethroplasty consisting of excision and primary anastomosis is performed less commonly than expected among genitourinary reconstructive surgeons. Considerable variation exists regarding operative technique, management of buccal mucosal graft harvest site and substitution onlay site.

Architecture of the Corpus Spongiosum: An Anatomical Study

Urethral reconstruction is performed for urethral stricture or hypospadias correction. Research on urethral tissue engineering is increasing. Because the corpus spongiosum is important to support the urethra, urethral tissue engineering should ideally be combined with reconstruction of a corpus spongiosum. We describe a method to visualize and measure the architecture of the corpus spongiosum, which is needed for scaffold design. The penis was dissected from 2 unembalmed male cadavers. One penis was flaccid and the other was erect, as induced by saline infusion. Both were frozen in ice. At 6 sites sections were obtained in the transverse and frontal directions. After digitalizing the stained sections the images were edited, area measurements were taken and a 3-dimensional reconstruction was made. In transverse sections the mean area of the vascular lumen was 60% and 77% in the flaccid and the erect corpus spongiosum, and in frontal sections it was 53% and 74%, respectively. This indicated a 129% transverse increase and a 140% longitudinal increase in erection. Section sites did not essentially differ except in the glans penis. Frontal sections showed larger vascular cavities and more incomplete septae than transverse sections. This study provides what is to our knowledge novel information on corpus spongiosum architecture, which is relevant for scaffold design in tissue engineering. The study protocol can be used in future research with a larger number of specimens and more extensive analyses.

Management of Urethral Stricture in Women

We describe the diagnosis and treatment of urethral strictures in women. We retrospectively identified female urethral strictures from 1998 to 2010. Study inclusion criteria were 1) clinical diagnosis of stricture, 2) stricture seen on cystoscopy, 3) urethral obstruction on videourodynamics according to the Blaivas-Groutz nomogram and/or 4) urethral caliber less than 17Fr. Postoperative recurrence was defined by the preoperative criteria. We identified 17 women with a mean age of 62 years (range 32 to 91) with stricture. Stricture was idiopathic in 8 patients, iatrogenic in 6, traumatic in 2 and associated with a urethral diverticulum in 1. Videourodynamics could not be done in 3 women due to complete obliteration of the urethra. Ten of 14 patients satisfied videourodynamic criteria for obstruction and 4 had impaired detrusor contractility. Nine women underwent vaginal flap urethroplasty, including 5 who also had a pubovaginal sling and 1 who had a Martius flap. One patient received a buccal mucosal graft as primary treatment after initial dilation. There was no recurrence at a minimum 1-year followup but 2 strictures recurred 5½ and 6 years postoperatively, respectively. These 2 women received a buccal mucosal graft and were stricture free 12 to 15 months postoperatively. Of 17 patients initially treated with urethral dilation recurrence developed in 16, requiring repeat dilations until urethroplasty was performed. In select women vaginal flap urethroplasty and buccal mucosal graft have high success rates, including 100% at 1 year and 78% at 5 years. Urethral dilation has a 6% success rate. Long-term followup is mandatory. Treatment should be individualized.

Repeat Transurethral Manipulation of Bulbar Urethral Strictures is Associated With Increased Stricture Complexity and Prolonged Disease Duration

We examined the association of previous transurethral manipulation with stricture complexity and disease duration among men referred for bulbar urethral reconstruction. We retrospectively reviewed the records of 340 consecutive urethroplasties performed by a single surgeon between July 2007 and October 2010. Only men treated with initial open surgery for bulbar strictures were included in analysis, thus excluding those with hypospadias, lichen sclerosus, pelvic radiation, prior urethroplasty, incomplete data, or pure penile or posterior urethral stenosis. Cases were divided into 2 groups based on the history of transurethral treatment for urethral stricture before urethroplasty, including group 1-0 or 1 and group 2-2 or greater treatments. Of 101 patients with bulbar urethral stricture and all data available 50 and 51 underwent 0 to 1 and 2 or greater previous transurethral treatments, respectively. Repeat transurethral manipulation was strongly associated with longer strictures and the need for complex reconstruction. Repeat transurethral manipulation of bulbar urethral strictures was also associated with an eightfold increase in disease duration between stricture diagnosis and curative urethroplasty. Repeat transurethral manipulation of bulbar strictures is associated with increased stricture complexity and a marked delay to curative urethroplasty.

Long-term Results of Small Intestinal Submucosa Graft in Bulbar Urethral Reconstruction

To retrospectively report the long-term results of the use of a small intestinal submucosa (SIS) graft in bulbar urethral repair. From 2003 to 2007, 25 men (mean age 40.5 years) with bulbar strictures underwent patch graft urethroplasty using SIS placed on the dorsal or ventral or dorsal plus ventral surface of the urethra. The mean follow-up period was 71 months (range 52-100). The clinical outcome was considered a failure when any postoperative instrumentation, including dilation, was needed. Of the 25 cases, 19 (76%) were successful and 6 (24%) were failures. No postoperative complications were related to the use of heterologous graft material, such as infection or rejection. The failure rate was 14% for strictures <4 cm and 100% for strictures >4 cm. At long-term follow-up, in bulbar stricture repair, SIS grafts showed similar results to penile skin grafts but were less effective than buccal mucosa grafts. The use of SIS as graft material should not be the first choice but represents an alternative option for patients with bulbar strictures that are not long and who refuse the harvesting or are not ideal candidates for buccal mucosa or penile skin grafts. Larger series of patients with longer follow-up are needed before widespread use can be advocated.

Long-term Results of Small Intestinal Submucosa Graft in Bulbar Urethral Reconstruction

Long-term Results of Small Intestinal Submucosa Graft in Bulbar Urethral Reconstruction

Grafts are Unnecessary for Proximal Bulbar Reconstruction

We compared our experience with the reconstruction of proximal vs distal bulbar stricture to assess the role of excision and primary anastomosis vs graft procedures at each site. We reviewed all urethroplasties done by a single surgeon during a 2-year period. Data analyzed included patient history and demographics, operative details, stricture length and site, and clinical outcome. The proximal bulbar urethra was defined as the segment within 5 cm of the membranous urethra and the distal bulb was defined as the adjoining segment extending to the penoscrotal junction. Cases involving the pendulous or posterior urethra were excluded from study. Of 210 urethroplasties from 2007 to 2009, 112 were done for bulbar strictures, including 72 (64%) for proximal bulbar strictures. All 72 cases were treated with excision and primary anastomosis. Median stricture length was 2 cm (range 1 to 5), although 31 of 72 strictures (43%) were of intermediate length (2.5 to 5 cm). Recurrence developed in 1 case (1.4%). Distal bulbar strictures in 40 of the 112 cases (36%) were treated predominantly with substitution urethroplasty in 36 (90%), and with excision and primary anastomosis in 4 (10%). Median stricture length was 3.75 cm (range 1.5 to 20). We noted intermediate length stricture in 18 of 40 cases (45%) and recurrence in 11 (28%). Of intermediate length strictures recurrence was much rarer after excision and primary anastomosis than after graft procedures (1 of 33 or 3.0% vs 6 of 16 or 38%, p<0.05). Location is critical when selecting an appropriate technique for bulbar urethral reconstruction. Excision and primary anastomosis are superior to grafts in the proximal bulb. Grafts are often unnecessary for reconstructing proximal bulbar strictures 5 cm or less.

BULBAR URETHRAL RECONSTRUCTION: DOES ULTRASOUND ADD TO PREOPERATIVE PLANNING?

You have accessJournal of Urology1 Apr 2009BULBAR URETHRAL RECONSTRUCTION: DOES ULTRASOUND ADD TO PREOPERATIVE PLANNING? Timothy O Davies, Kurt A McCammon, and Gerald H Jordan Timothy O DaviesTimothy O Davies More articles by this author , Kurt A McCammonKurt A McCammon More articles by this author , and Gerald H JordanGerald H Jordan More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-5347(09)60057-4AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail "BULBAR URETHRAL RECONSTRUCTION: DOES ULTRASOUND ADD TO PREOPERATIVE PLANNING?." The Journal of Urology, 181(4S), p. 16 © 2009 by American Urological AssociationFiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 181Issue 4SApril 2009Page: 16 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2009 by American Urological AssociationMetricsAuthor Information Timothy O Davies More articles by this author Kurt A McCammon More articles by this author Gerald H Jordan More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...

Long-Term Efficacy of Distal Penile Circular Fasciocutaneous Flaps for Single Stage Reconstruction of Complex Anterior Urethral Stricture Disease

We determined the overall efficacy and predictors of success of the distal penile circular fasciocutaneous flap in the management of complex anterior urethral stricture disease not due to lichen sclerosus. We performed a retrospective review of all patients undergoing reconstruction of complex anterior urethral strictures without lichen sclerosus repaired from 1985 to 2006. Primary and overall stricture-free survival curves were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to identify univariate and multivariate predictors of flap success. A total of 124 patients met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Median patient age was 48 years (range 16 to 83). Median followup was 7.3 years (range 1 month to 19.5 years). Median stricture length was 8.2 cm (range 0.5 to 24). At 1, 3, 5 and 10 years the overall estimated stricture-free survival rates were 95%, 89%, 84% and 79%, respectively. On multivariate analysis smoking (HR 4.0, 95% CI 1.2-12.9, p = 0.02), history of hypospadias repair (HR 4.4, 95% CI 1.3-14.6, p = 0.01) and stricture length 7 to 10 cm (HR 7.0, 95% CI 1.4-34.7, p = 0.02) were predictive of failure. Fasciocutaneous flap urethroplasty has good and durable success rates in the treatment of complex anterior urethral strictures. Predictors of failure included smoking, history of hypospadias repair and longer stricture length.

History and Evolution of Dorsal Onlay Urethroplasty for Bulbar Urethral Stricture Repair using Skin or Buccal Mucosal Grafts

Objectives To illustrate the history and the evolution over time of bulbar dorsal onlay urethroplasty, comparing outcomes when using buccal mucosa or skin grafts. Materials and Methods Ninety-four patients underwent bulbar urethral reconstruction using two dorsal onlay techniques, namely augmented anastomotic urethroplasty and dorsal onlay graft urethroplasty. Preoperative evaluation included clinical history, physical examination, urine culture, residual urine measurement, uroflowmetry and urethrography. Thirty-four patients underwent augmented anastomotic urethroplasty using penile skin (10 cases) or buccal mucosa (24 cases) grafts. Sixty patients underwent dorsal onlay graft urethroplasty using penile skin (38 cases) or buccal mucosa (22 cases) grafts. Forty-eight out of 94 patients received skin grafts and 46 buccal mucosal grafts. Results Sixty-four (68%) out of 94 cases were successful, whereas 30 (32%) failed. The 34 augmented anastomotic urethroplasties provided successful outcomes in 24 cases (70.6%), but poor outcomes in 10 (29.4%) cases. The 60 dorsal onlay graft urethroplasty proved to be successful in 42 cases (70%), failing in 18 (30%) cases. Twenty-eight (58.3%) out of 48 penile skin grafts were successful and 20 (41.7%) failed. Thirty-six (78.3%) out of 46 buccal mucosa grafts were successful and 10 (21.7%) failed. The 30 failed cases were then treated with internal urethrotomy in 14 cases (46.7%), perineal urethrostomy in 8 cases (26.7%), two-stage repair in 4 cases (13.3%), and one-stage repair in 4 cases (13.3%). Conclusions The dorsal onlay technique used for bulbar urethral stricture repair has changed over time. In our experience, the buccal mucosa seems to be the best substitute graft material for bulbar urethroplasty using dorsal approach.

POS-02.142: Results of buccal mucosal graft onlay patch urethroplasty in the repair of adult bulbar urethral stricture

Buccal mucosa has been advocated as an ideal graft material for urethral reconstruction in adults. We report our experience with buccal mucosal onlay urethroplasty for complex bulbar urethral reconstruction in adults.

Dorsal Onlay Skin Graft Bulbar Urethroplasty: Long-Term Follow-Up

ObjectivesTo report retrospectively long-term follow-up in a homogeneous group of patients who underwent dorsal onlay skin graft bulbar urethroplasty and to investigate which factors might influence long-term outcome. MethodsThirty-eight patients, with an average age of 43 yr, underwent dorsal onlay skin graft (#12 ventral penile skin and #26 preputial mucosa) bulbar urethroplasty from 1994 to 2000. Of 38 patients, 23 (60.5%) had undergone prior endoscopic procedures. Preoperative evaluation included clinical history, physical examination, retrograde and voiding urethrography, and urethral sonography. Three weeks after surgery, voiding cystourethrography was performed. Patients were followed-up with a clinical evaluation and specific diagnostic tests every 4 mo in the first year and every 12 mo thereafter. Clinical outcome was considered a failure when postoperative instrumentation, including dilation, was needed. ResultsAverage follow-up was 111 mo (range, 80–149). Of 38 cases, 25 (65.8%) were successful and 13 (34.2%) failures. Patients with stricture length > 6cm and a previous history of urethrotomies or dilatations seemed to have a higher risk of failure, but this observation was only a trend and did not reach levels of statistical significance. ConclusionsPenile skin used as dorsal onlay graft for bulbar urethral reconstruction in a homogeneous series of patients showed a success rate ranging from 90% at short-term follow-up to 66% after long-term follow-up. There was no evidence for particular risk factors (length of stricture, number of dilatations and urethrotomies) for failure.

Combined Dorsal plus Ventral Double Buccal Mucosa Graft in Bulbar Urethral Reconstruction

ObjectivesWe describe a technique for bulbar urethral reconstruction using a combined dorsal plus ventral double buccal mucosa graft (BMG). MethodsFrom March 2002 to June 2006, 48 men, mean age 35 yr, with bulbar strictures underwent patch urethroplasty using a dorsal plus a ventral double BMG. Average stricture length was 3.65cm (range: 2–10cm). The stenotic urethral segment was opened along its ventral surface; the exposed dorsal urethra was incised in the midline to create an elliptical area over the tunica albuginea where the dorsal inlay BMG was placed and quilted to the corpora to augment dorsally the urethral plate. Subsequently, the ventral onlay BMG was sutured to the urethral lateral margins to complete the augmented urethroplasty. Finally, the spongiosum was closed over the graft. Successful reconstruction was defined as normal voiding without the need for any postoperative procedure including dilation. ResultsMean follow-up was 22 mo (range: 13–59 mo). At the catheter removal 3 wk after surgery, in three patients the voiding cystourethrography showed a fistula, which recovered after a prolonged catheterization. Of 48 cases, 43 (89.6%) were successful and 5 (10.4%) failures with recurrence of the stricture; 4 were treated with internal urethrotomy and 1 with a temporary perineal urethrostomy. ConclusionsPreliminary results with a combined double BMG urethroplasty for severe bulbar stricture are encouraging. The double dorsal and ventral graft may provide a simple and reliable solution to achieve an adequate urethral lumen in selected patients.

Augmented Anastomotic Urethroplasty

During substitution urethroplasty, if the stricture contains a 1 to 2 cm region that is particularly narrow and/or fibrotic, that portion may be excised with subsequent anastomosis of the dorsal or ventral aspect of the urethra to shorten, widen and optimize the urethral wall onto which an onlay graft is to be placed. This procedure is termed augmented anastomotic urethroplasty. To determine the effectiveness of this approach we reviewed our experience with augmented anastomotic urethroplasty in an 8-year period. We reviewed the records of patients who underwent augmented anastomotic urethroplasty between October 1997 and April 2005. Perioperative characteristics were compared between successes and failures using the Wilcoxon/Kruskal-Wallis and Fisher exact tests. Of 69 patients who underwent augmented anastomotic urethroplasty for recurrent urethral strictures 5 had undergone previous urethroplasty using a genital skin flap or graft. At a median followup of 34 months (range 13 to 103) 62 patients had no evidence of stricture recurrence and required no further intervention for an overall success rate of 90%. Stricture recurrence, defined as the inability to easily pass a standard flexible cystoscope through the area of repair, occurred in 7 patients (10%). Patients with stricture recurrence were significantly older (mean age 52 vs 39 years, p = 0.02) and more likely to experience postoperative urinary tract infection (28% vs 3.2%, p = 0.05) than patients without repeat stricture. Augmented anastomotic urethroplasty is an effective technique that allows the use of a shorter onlay graft. It may optimize overall results due to improvement in the urethral wall and the associated corpus spongiosum.

History and evolution of dorsal onlay urethroplasty for bulbar urethral stricture repair using skin or buccal mucosal grafts

OBJECTIVES. To illustrate the history and the evolution over time of bulbar dorsal onlay urethroplasty, comparing outcomes when using buccal mucosa or skin grafts. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Ninety-four patients underwent bulbar urethral reconstruction using two dorsal onlay techniques, namely augmented anastomotic urethroplasty and dorsal onlay graft urethroplasty. Preoperative evaluation included clinical history, physical examination, urine culture, residual urine measurement, uroflowmetry and urethrography. Thirty-four patients underwent augmented anastomotic urethroplasty using penile skin (10 cases) or buccal mucosa (24 cases) grafts. Sixty patients underwent dorsal onlay graft urethroplasty using penile skin (38 cases) or buccal mucosa (22 cases) grafts. Forty-eight out of 94 patients received skin grafts and 46 buccal mucosal grafts. RESULTS. Sixty-four (68%) out of 94 cases were successful, whereas 30 (32%) failed. The 34 augmented anastomotic urethroplasties provided successful outcomes in 24 cases (70.6%), but poor outcomes in 10 (29.4%) cases. The 60 dorsal onlay graft urethroplasty proved to be successful in 42 cases (70%), failing in 18 (30%) cases. Twenty-eight (58.3%) out of 48 penile skin grafts were successful and 20 (41.7%) failed. Thirty-six (78.3%) out of 46 buccal mucosa grafts were successful and 10 (21.7%) failed. The 30 failed cases were then treated with internal urethrotomy in 14 cases (46.7%), perineal urethrostomy in 8 cases (26.7%), two-stage repair in 4 cases (13.3%), and one-stage repair in 4 cases (13.3%). CONCLUSIONS. The dorsal onlay technique used for bulbar urethral stricture repair has changed over time. In our experience, the buccal mucosa seems to be the best substitute graft material for bulbar urethroplasty using dorsal approach.

Bulbar Urethroplasty with Dorsal Onlay Buccal Mucosal Graft and Fibrin Glue

ObjectivesWe describe a new surgical technique with the use of fibrin glue for bulbar urethra reconstruction using a dorsal buccal mucosal onlay graft. MethodsSix patients with a mean age of 43 yr underwent bulbar urethroplasty with dorsal onlay buccal mucosal graft and fibrin glue. The urethra was mobilised from the corpora cavernosa and opened along its dorsal surface. The buccal mucosal graft was applied on the corpora cavernosa using 2ml of fibrin glue. Two interrupted polyglactin 5-0 sutures were used to fix the apices of the graft to the underlying albuginea of the corpora cavernosa. The urethra was rotated back to cover the graft and an adjunctive fibrin glue was injected over the urethra. ResultsThe mean operative time was 100min (range, 90–120min). No intraoperative or postoperative complications were observed. Voiding cystourethrography was performed when the catheter was removed 2 wk after surgery. Urine culture, uroflowmetry, and urethrography were repeated after 6 and 12 mo and annually thereafter. Mean follow-up was 16 mo (range, 12–24 mo). No restrictures at the anastomotic sites were demonstrated in any of the patients 6 and 12 mo after surgery. ConclusionsThe use of fibrin glue represents a slight but significant step toward perfecting the surgical technique of bulbar urethral reconstruction.