Treatment Of Urethral Strictures Research Articles

Efficacy of urethral suspension-assisted urethral anastomosis as a treatment for complex long-segment posterior urethral stricture.

To determine the clinical effects of urethral suspension-assisted urethral anastomosis on complex long-segment posterior urethral stricture and describe the technical aspects of this procedure. The clinical data for 24 patients who underwent urethral suspension-assisted urethral anastomosis for complex long-segment posterior urethral stricture between March 2021 and March 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. The surgical procedure comprises the following four steps: creation of an inverted Y-shaped incision in the perineum; mobilization of the urethra up to the penile-scrotal junction followed by dissection and separation of the septum of the corpus cavernosum; separation of the inferior pubic symphysis, excising a portion of the inferior pubic symphysis bone tissue and thoroughly clearing the scar tissue surrounding the proximal urethra; and suturing and suspension of the proximal urethra and surrounding tissues at the 2, 5, 7, and 10 o'clock positions, ensuring complete exposure of the proximal urethral mucosa and tension-free anastomosis between the proximal and distal urethra. The mean patient age was 46.7 years (range 27-64) and the median urethral stricture length was 5.1cm. The urethral catheter was removed 4 weeks postoperatively. The median follow-up duration was 13.6 months (4-32). Urinary flow remained unobstructed in 22 patients (91.7%), with an average maximum flow rate of 24.5ml/s (15.3-36.2). Urethral stricture recurred post-surgery in two patients, one of whom underwent successful repair with the same surgical procedure while the other achieved successful voiding after urethrotomy. Urethral suspension-assisted urethral anastomosis is an effective treatment for complex long-segment posterior urethral stricture. This technique allows for optimal exposure of the proximal urethral mucosa, reduces the distance between the proximal and distal urethra, simplifies surgical procedures, enables tension-free anastomosis between the proximal and distal urethra, and has a high success rate.

Urology : what's new in 2024

In 2024, urology continues to evolve with remarkable innovations. The Da Vinci SP surgical robot simplifies procedures by reducing surgical trauma and accelerating patient recovery. Regarding oncological conditions, new therapies have significantly improved the management of urological cancers, leading to increased survival rates. Additionally, for non-cancerous conditions, innovations like the Optilume balloon for urethral stricture treatment offer a minimally invasive and effective solution with few complications. These advances reflect the successful adoption of innovative technologies and targeted treatments to optimize urological care.

Aldehyde free - Bovine Pericardium - A New Option of Graft in Urethral Stricture Treatment.

The current management for complex urethral strictures commonly uses open reconstruction with buccal mucosa urethroplasty. However, there are multiple situations whereby buccal mucosa is inadequate (pan-urethral stricture or prior buccal harvest) or inappropriate for utilization (heavy tobacco use or oral radiation). Multiple options exist for use as alternatives or adjuncts to buccal mucosa in complex urethral strictures (injectable antifibrotic agents, augmentation urethroplasty with skin flaps, lingual mucosa, bladder mucosa, colonic mucosa, and new developments in tissue engineering for urethral graft material) (1, 2). In the present video, we present a case where we used a new option of graft to treat urethral strictures: the L-Hydro® tissue treatment technology 100% aldehyde free, VIVENDI graft. The present study was approved according to the ethical standards of the hospital's institutional committee on experimentation with human beings. A 57 year-old male patient developed a urethral stricture due to prolonged use of a urinary catheter during a previous hospitalization. A cystourethrogram was performed, which revealed a stenosis of the penile urethra measuring 2.5 cm in length. Urethroplasty was proposed for the surgical treatment in this case. We used a longitudinal penile incision with a ventral sagittal urethrotomy in the penile stricture. A free VIVENDI graft was placed into the longitudinal incision in the dorsal urethra and fixed with interrupted suture as dorsal inlay. The ventral urethrotomy was closed over a 16Fr Foley catheter and the skin incision was then closed in layers. The patient will receive post-operative follow-up for 3 months for clinical assessment through symptoms, uroflowmetry, urethroscopy and residual urine volume after urination. No intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred. The patient could achieve satisfactory voiding and no complication was seen during the three-month follow-up. Four weeks after surgery, he underwent urethroscopy, which revealed a good appearance of the urethra, with no stenosis or signs of infection. In the present case the use of bovine pericardium graft for the treatment of penile urethral stricture had a good result and can be an option to repair complex urethral strictures. However, the results presented require a larger population group in addition to multicenter studies with longer follow-up time to ensure the findings obtained. Available at: http://www.intbrazjurol.com.br/video-section/20249928_Vieiralves_et_al.

History of urethral surgery: Lessons learnt from the past.

Although failures are undesirable, they offer valuable learning opportunities that drive progress through necessary changes. This concept holds particularly true in the history of urethral reconstruction. A comprehensive literature review was conducted using PubMed, focusing on the history of the urethral stricture and current trends based on national and international guidelines for urethral stricture management. Urethral strictures are among the oldest known urological conditions, with initial treatments centred around dilatation. These palliative measures proved disappointing. The advent of reconstructive urology has transformed this pathology into a treatable condition, notably through Excision and Primary Anastomosis (EPA) and one-stage augmentation urethroplasty using buccal grafts. Urethroplasty is the gold standard treatment for urethral strictures, and ongoing refinements aim to further reduce morbidity.

Comparison of quality of life and sexual function before and after anterior urethral reconstruction surgery

The study assessed the impact of anterior urethral reconstruction surgery on quality of life and sexual function in 22 male patients with anterior urethral strictures. The mean age was 51 years (range: 25–88), and strictures were localized in the bulbar urethra, penile urethra, or both, with an average stricture length of 4.2 cm. Etiologies included trauma, iatrogenic causes, infections, and idiopathic factors. Surgical techniques included end-to-end urethroplasty, dorsal onlay oral mucosa graft urethroplasty, and combined dorsal graft with ventral augmentation. Significant postoperative improvements were noted in urinary symptoms, with IPSS scores reducing from severe to mild in all patients (p<0.001) and Qmax increasing from a mean of 3.23 ml/s to 19.46 ml/s (p<0.001). Preoperative quality of life, evaluated using EQ-5D and EQ-VAS, showed significant enhancement, with EQ-VAS scores improving from 38.77 to 77.05 (p<0.001). Sexual function, assessed via IIEF-5, remained stable, with no significant postoperative decline (p=0.463), highlighting the preservation of erectile function. USS-PROM evaluations revealed a substantial reduction in symptom severity and improved patient satisfaction. The findings demonstrate that anterior urethral reconstruction effectively restores urinary function and improves quality of life without compromising sexual health, establishing it as a safe and reliable treatment for anterior urethral strictures.

Efficacy and Safety of Optilume Drug-Coated Balloon for Urethral Stricture Treatment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The Optilume drug-coated balloon (DCB) (North Plymouth, USA) is a novel treatment option for urethral stricture disease that combines mechanical dilation with localized delivery of paclitaxel, an antiproliferative drug aimed at reducing recurrence rates by inhibiting scar tissue formation. This systematic review and meta-analysis, conducted using studies published in the last 10 years up to November 2024, assessed the efficacy and safety of Optilume DCB across seven studies involving 457 patients. Key outcomes included significant reductions in symptom scores, as measured by the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and improvements in urinary flow rates (QMax). The recurrence-free rate was approximately 80.83%, suggesting that Optilume offers durable symptom relief. The complication rate, calculated as a weighted average across studies, was low at 9.5%, with most adverse events being mild and temporary, including dysuria and urinary tract infections. These findings support Optilume DCB as a promising minimally invasive alternative to standard treatments, offering durable outcomes with a favorable safety profile. Further randomized trials with longer follow-ups are recommended to confirm these benefits in diverse patient populations.

Outcomes of Double-Face Buccal Mucosal Urethroplasty for Treating Anterior Urethral Stricture in Adult Males.

To assess the results of double-face buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty (BMG) for treating anterior urethral stricture in adult males. An observational study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Urology, Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation, Karachi, Pakistan, from 2021 to 2022. The inclusion criteria were adult males, aged 15 to 70 years, with a previous surgical procedure for hypospadias and the presence of long penile and bulbar strictures measuring over 2 cm, resulting from a straddle injury. Forty-three patients were selected who underwent urethroplasty in 2021 and completed a one-year follow-up in 2022. Uroflowmetry (UFM) and the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) assessment data were obtained from the patients' medical records. Success was defined as the patient attaining catheter freedom and achieving a maximum flow rate exceeding 15 ml/sec after one year. The mean UFM at one year was 20.89 ml/s. Four patients underwent endo-urological intervention (direct visual internal urethrotomy), and one patient needed a second double-face urethroplasty. After one year, the double-face BMG urethroplasty achieved an overall success rate of 88.4%. Double-face BMG urethroplasty is a reliable and effective surgical technique for the treatment of near obliterative or obliterative long anterior urethral strictures. Buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty, Direct visual internal urethrotomy, Anterior urethral stricture, Buccal mucosal graft, Urethral dilatation.

Outcomes of Double-Face Buccal Mucosal Urethroplasty for Treating Anterior Urethral Stricture in Adult Males.

To assess the results of double-face buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty (BMG) for treating anterior urethral stricture in adult males. An observational study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Urology, Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation, Karachi, Pakistan, from 2021 to 2022. The inclusion criteria were adult males, aged 15 to 70 years, with a previous surgical procedure for hypospadias and the presence of long penile and bulbar strictures measuring over 2 cm, resulting from a straddle injury. Forty-three patients were selected who underwent urethroplasty in 2021 and completed a one-year follow-up in 2022. Uroflowmetry (UFM) and the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) assessment data were obtained from the patients' medical records. Success was defined as the patient attaining catheter freedom and achieving a maximum flow rate exceeding 15 ml/sec after one year. The mean UFM at one year was 20.89 ml/s. Four patients underwent endo-urological intervention (direct visual internal urethrotomy), and one patient needed a second double-face urethroplasty. After one year, the double-face BMG urethroplasty achieved an overall success rate of 88.4%. Double-face BMG urethroplasty is a reliable and effective surgical technique for the treatment of near obliterative or obliterative long anterior urethral strictures. Buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty, Direct visual internal urethrotomy, Anterior urethral stricture, Buccal mucosal graft, Urethral dilatation.

The use of robotic surgery for the management of urethral strictures and bladder neck contractures: A systematic review

ObjectiveThe aim of this systematic review is to offer a comprehensive view of the current use of robotic surgery for the treatment of urethral strictures and bladder neck contractures. MethodsA systematic review of the current literature was conducted through the Medline and NCBI PubMed, Embase databases in December 2023. Keywords used were “robotic” and “robotic-assisted” combined with “urethroplasty”, “urethral stricture”, and “bladder neck contracture”. All papers published after 2000, concerning studies conducted on humans for urethral strictures and bladder neck contractures managed with robotic surgery were considered for the review. Only procedures involving a direct approach to urethra/bladder neck and/or graft harvesting for urethroplasty have been included. ResultsA total of 275 articles were evaluated after the strategy search and only 11 articles were considered eligible for the final analysis. The studies included a series of between a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 104 patients, for a total of 203 patients. The robotic surgery was performed mainly for the treatment of bladder neck contracture and posterior urethra. In some reports, the robotic system was used for graft harvesting, subsequently used with an open perineal technique. The follow-up presented in the different studies is very heterogeneous. However, most studies have high success rates, with recurrence and redo surgery rates generally below 20%. Likewise, post-procedure incontinence rates are low. ConclusionsThe outcomes presented in the literature, combined with the minimally invasive nature, suggest a possible growing role for robotic surgery in the coming years in the treatment of these diseases.

Future directions in transmasculine genital gender-affirming surgery: tissue substitutes and transplant.

The present study reviews contemporary literature focused on transplantation and tissue substitutes for the purposes of masculinizing genital gender affirming surgery. Additional background is provided for both topics to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the modern applications. Genitourinary vascularized composite allotransplantation has become a reality in recent years with several cases reported worldwide in cisgender men with promising reports of urinary and sexual function. A natural extension might be to apply these techniques to gender affirming surgery (GAS). Technical barriers include anatomic differences between vasculature supporting penoscrotal and vulvovaginal anatomy as well as size discrepancies between the corporal bodies which complicate the required anastomoses. Whether the smaller caliber of biologic female pelvic vasculature can support erection of a neophallus is another obstacle. Ethically, resource allocation, elective immunosuppression, society response to organ donation and gender identity, as well as the psychosocial safety of the patient given charged public opinion must all be considered.Tissue substitutes have long been used in urologic reconstruction but more recently applied to masculinizing gender affirmation surgery which has traditionally relied on autografting. The focus has been on restoring form and function to the donor site as well as facilitating treatment of urethral stricture and wound complications after phalloplasty. Furthermore, aesthetic applications have also been described, most recently for glans atrophy. The field of masculinizing gender affirmation surgery represents an exciting frontier for surgeons and patients alike. Given the relative nascency of the specialty and its propensity to draw techniques from various surgical disciplines there exists a unique opportunity for rapid innovation to overcome challenging problems posed by these complex procedures as evidenced by discussions around applying penile transplantation and the use of novel tissue grafting techniques.

Urethroplasty with Pedicled Tunica Vaginalis for the Treatment of Long-segment Anterior Urethral Stricture Caused by Lichen Sclerosus of Glans Penis.

Urethroplasty for the management of long-segment urethral strictures associated with lichen sclerosus presents considerable clinical challenges. Oral mucosal grafts are commonly employed but are vulnerable to posttransplantation infection and recurrent stricture formation. Furthermore, the necessity for anesthesia and oral graft harvesting restricts their application in primary healthcare settings. The single layer of flattened epithelium of the tunica vaginalis can serve as a potential alternative to oral mucosa. Animal experiments have demonstrated that the tunica vaginalis can readily form a tight connection with the multilayered urothelium of the urethra. Utilizing the tunica vaginalis as a scaffold for urethral re-epithelialization may help reduce the risk of recurrence of urethral stricture after surgery. Over a 19 year period, pedicled tunica vaginalis urethroplasty has been used for successfully treating 86 cases. The surgical procedure involves dorsally incising the urethral stricture segment, then covering it with a pedicled tunica vaginalis patch followed by suturing. Postoperatively, the pedicled tunica vaginalis graft exhibits good vascularization and take rate, facilitating urethral re-epithelialization. The surgical procedure is conducted in a sterile environment to mitigate the potential for infectious complications. Moreover, the operation can be executed under spinal anesthesia, which facilitates its implementation in primary healthcare settings.

Changes in practices concerning urethral stricture surgery: Analysis of French data for the period 2013–2022

IntroductionThe prevalence of urethral stricture is estimated at 0.9%. American, European and French recommendations have reduced the place of endoscopic treatments due to their poor outcomes, especially in the case of repeated procedures. Urethroplasty is the new reference treatment for urethral stricture. Our aim was to assess the evolution of national practices from 2013 to 2022. Material and methodsWe collected national CCAM coding data for all procedures involving urethral stricture surgery using the Scansanté internet platform produced by the Technical Agency for Information on Hospitalization, which prospectively collects all procedures coded according to CCAM coding from public, liberal and ESPIC healthcare structures. ResultsThe overall number of urethral surgical procedures has been steadily increasing over the past 10 years. Endoscopic procedures remain largely predominant in 2022, totaling 23,982, but have remained stable over the decade. Urethroplasties have been on the rise since 2019, reaching 1600 cases in 2022 compared with 1100 cases in 2020. Although urethrotomies currently outnumber urethroplasties by a factor of 10, this ratio has been consistently decreasing since 2016. The most significant contributor to the 10-year increase is urethroplasty by augmentation, particularly free flap techniques on the anterior urethra. Resection-anastomosis and urethrostomy techniques have remained stable. DiscussionIn 2022, endoscopic treatments remain by far the majority, but urethroplasties are on the increase. A significant number of patients can benefit from initial endoscopic treatment because short bulbar localization is the most common presentation, but long-term success rates are poor compared to urethroplasty, which boasts approximately 80% success rates. Urethroplasty should no longer be considered a last-resort surgery but rather a reference technique in treating urethral stricture. Level of evidence4.

Comparative Study between Holmium Laser and Cold Knife in Optical Internal Urethrotomy for the Management of Anterior Urethral Stricture

Abstract Background Urethral stricture is a narrowing of the urethra due to many causes including, trauma, ischaemia, spongiofibrosis, inflammation, and sexually transmitted gonococcal infections, resulting in tissue scaring in the corpus spongiosum, It can occur at any point on the male urethra. Regarding urethral stricture management, many researchers and surgeons have proposed and evaluated several methods, including urethral dilation, direct vision internal urethrotomy, laser urethrotomy and urethroplasty. Aim to compare the outcomes of Holmium: yttrium-aluminium-garnet (YAG) laser urethrotomy with the conventional cold-knife technique as regards treatment outcome, efficacy and complications in cases of urethral stricture disease. Methods This prospective randomized clinical trial was conducted at Ain Shams University hospitals and Nile hospital for insurance. This study was conducted on 30 male patients with urethral stricture assigned into two equal groups; Group A: received urethrotomy with conventional cold knife. Group B received urethrotomy with Holmium: YAG laser. Results Holmium Laser modality was associated with significantly lower postoperative postvoid residual urine volume and International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) at 1 & 3 months postoperative and shorter operative time but there was insignificant difference as regards peak flow rate(PFR). Complications in both procedures were minor and infrequent Conclusion Holmium Laser and cold knife internal urethrotomy are effective surgical options for the treatment of anterior urethral stricture with a promising outcome after 3- months follow-up with a better success rate using the Holmium laser. Both are easy to perform, minimal invasive and safe

The use of amniotic membrane injection as an adjunct in endoscopic urethral stricture management.

Endoscopic urethral stricture treatment has high recurrence rates. Due to research supporting amniotic membrane's (AMs) anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic properties reducing scar tissue formation, AM has generated interest in reconstructive urethral surgery. To the best of our knowledge, we performed the first investigation of the success rate of urethral dilation when combined with micronized AM injection for the treatment of urethral stricture. Eligible patients were adult males with anterior strictures meeting strict criteria for diameter, length, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and flow rate. Micronized AM was injected in the stricture region during urethral dilation. The primary study endpoint was an anatomical success (≥14Fr) at 6 months. Secondary endpoints were evaluated with the IPSS, urethral stricture surgery - patient-related outcome measure, International Index of Erectile Function, flow rate, and postvoid residual. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and multiple points postinjection. Injection safety was analyzed. Ten men with a mean age of 52 years were included in the study. At 6 months, 7 of 10 patients demonstrated recurrence of the urethral stricture on cystoscopy. Improvements in secondary endpoints were noted in 10 of 10 patients at 3 months and 3 of 10 patients at 6 months. No adverse events were observed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study evaluating micronized AM injection as an adjunct treatment at the time of urethral dilation. The urethral stricture recurrence rate did not improve with the injection of AM despite the hypothesized benefits of anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory properties.

El uso de la cirugía robótica para el tratamiento de estenosis uretrales y contracturas del cuello vesical: una revisión sistemática

ObjectiveThe aim of this systematic review is to offer a comprehensive view of the current use of robotic surgery for the treatment of urethral strictures and bladder neck contractures. MethodsA systematic review of the current literature was conducted through the Medline and NCBI PubMed, Embase databases in December 2023. Keywords used were ‘robotic’ and ‘robotic-assisted’ combined with ‘urethroplasty’, ‘urethral stricture’, and ‘bladder neck contracture’. All papers published after 2000, concerning studies conducted on humans for urethral strictures and bladder neck contractures managed with robotic surgery were considered for the review. Only procedures involving a direct approach to urethra/bladder neck and/or graft harvesting for urethroplasty have been included. ResultsA total of 275 articles were evaluated after the strategy search and only 11 articles were considered eligible for the final analysis. The studies included a series of between a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 104 patients, for a total of 203 patients. The robotic surgery was performed mainly for the treatment of bladder neck contracture and posterior urethra. In some reports, the robotic system was used for graft harvesting, subsequently used with an open perineal technique. The follow-up presented in the different studies is very heterogeneous. However, most studies have high success rates, with recurrence and redo surgery rates generally below 20%. Likewise, post-procedure incontinence rates are low. ConclusionsThe outcomes presented in the literature, combined with the minimally invasive nature, suggest a possible growing role for robotic surgery in the coming years in the treatment of these diseases.

Применение большого количества методов оперативного лечения стриктуры уретры у одного пациента: клинический случай

Introduction. Insufficient surgical experience and inadequate choice of surgical treatment options may be the reasons for the failure of treatment of urethral stricture. In this regard, a clinical case from our practice is very indicative. Case: The article is devoted to the description of a clinical case of urethral injury in a man who, at the age of 22 years, suffered a fracture of the pelvic bones as a result of a traffic accident. From the moment of injury to the final operation, the following types of surgical interventions were sequentially performed in this patient: anastomotic endto-end urethroplasty, augmentation urethroplasty using a skin graft, augmentation urethroplasty using a graft of the tunica vaginalis of the testicle, bougienage of the urethra, urethroplasty with a vascularized radial fasciocutaneous flap on a vascular pedicle, 2-stage urethroplasty using a graft of the buccal mucosa according to the type of Bracka I and II operations, perineal urethrostomy. Urethrostomy became the final option for urine diversion; no recurrence of urethral stricture was observed during 4 years of follow-up after urethrostomy. Conclusion. Until recently, the lack of uniform approaches to the treatment of urethral stricture has led to the use of inadequate methods of surgical treatment in various clinics. The recent approval of federal clinical guidelines for urethral stricture should help optimize the treatment of this disease. Keywords: urethral stricture, urethroplasty, urethrostomy

The urinary and sexual outcomes of buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty versus end-to-end anastomosis: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

The urinary and sexual outcomes after urethroplasty may be a concern for patients, but there are still some controversies regarding the consequences of buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty (BMG) in terms of erectile dysfunction (ED). This meta-analysis aimed to compare urinary and sexual outcomes of BMG and end-to-end urethroplasty (EE). The PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Embase databases were searched until February 31, 2023. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed by 2 designated researchers. Dichotomous data were analyzed as odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Heterogeneity across studies was assessed by the I2 quantification, and publication bias using Begg's and Egger's tests. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan software. Outcomes included stricture recurrence, ED, penile complications, and voiding symptoms. Eighteen studies, including 1648 participants, were included in our meta-analysis. The meta-analysis revealed that there was no significant difference in stricture recurrence (OR = 0.74; 95% CI, 0.48-1.13; P = .17) and voiding symptoms (OR = 1.12; 95% CI, 0.32-3.88; P = .86) between the BMG group and the EE group. BMG was associated with lower risk of penile complications (OR = 0.40; 95% CI, 0.24-0.69; P = .001) and ED (OR = 0.53, 95% CI, 0.32-0.90, P = .02). The study may help clinicians choose procedures that achieve better recovery of the urological and sexual function in the treatment of urethral stricture. This meta-analysis is the first to evaluate the urinary and sexual outcomes of BMG vs EE. A limitation is that most of the included studies were retrospective cohort studies. BMG is as effective as EE in the treatment of bulbar urethral stricture, but BMG has fewer complications and ED than EE.

Laborie Optilume® Drug-coated balloon may lower the re-treatment rate post-intervention for challenging urethral stricture disease in long-term follow-up: A prospective cohort study.

Urethral stricture disease is a common and at times unsatisfying condition that can lead to complications severely impacting a patient's quality of life. Open urethroplasty remains the gold standard treatment; however, it is an invasive and highly specialized procedure. Strictures between 2 to 4 cm in length have been shown to recur at a rate of 50% within 12 months, a rate that typically decreases with each subsequent treatment. The Laborie Optilume drug-coated balloon (DCB) is the first of its kind developed for adjunct treatment of urethral strictures in men. The DCB initially treats the stricture through balloon dilatation and subsequently aims to prevent recurrence via the localized application of Paclitaxel. Our study assesses the safety and efficacy of the DCB in an Australian population with strictures exceeding 2 cm who have undergone at least two prior procedures for urethral stricture disease. Patients were prospectively recruited from November 2019 to September 2021. International prostate symptom score (IPSS), IPSS quality of life (QOL) and voiding parameters were collected at baseline, and again at 1, 6, 12 and 18 months. The drug coated balloon was applied by a single consultant urologist under rigid cystoscope with shallow direct vision internal urethrotomy with a cold knife prior to application of the DCB. 17 patients were recruited with an average of 7.7 prior urethral procedures for recurrent stricture disease. 76% were stricture free at 30 months follow-up. There were improvements in almost all parameters including max flow, average flow, IPSS and IPSS QOL scores at 12 and 24 months. There were no complications. The DCB is a safe and effective method at reducing the rates of recurrence for high-risk stricture disease and can delay or prevent the need for urethroplasty in what remains a very challenging cohort of patients.

Perineal Urethrostomy for Complex Urethral Strictures: Long-Term Patient-Reported Outcomes From a Reconstructive Referral Center and a Scoping Literature Review.

There is a paucity of long-term objective and patient-reported outcomes after definitive perineal urethrostomy for complex urethral strictures. Our objective is to determine comprehensive long-term success of perineal urethrostomy with our 15-year experience at a reconstructive referral center. Patients who underwent perineal urethrostomy between 2009 and 2023 were identified. A comprehensive long-term follow-up was conducted, evaluating both objective outcomes (retreatment-free survival) and subjective outcomes through the use of validated questionnaires. Additionally, to provide further context for our findings, we conducted a scoping review of all studies reporting outcomes following perineal urethrostomy. Among 76 patients, 55% had iatrogenic strictures, with 82% previously undergoing urethral interventions. At a median follow-up of 55 months, retreatment-free survival was 84%, with 16% of patients experiencing perineal urethrostomy recurrent stenosis. Patient-reported outcomes revealed a generally satisfactory voiding function (Urethral Stricture Surgery Patient-Reported Outcome Measure Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms score) and continence (International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form), with median scores of 4 (range 0-24) and 0 (range 0-21), but with bimodal distributions of sexual function scores (median International Index of Erectile Function-Erectile Function domain: 3.5; median Male Sexual Health Questionnaire-Ejaculation Scale: 21). Treatment satisfaction was very high with a median International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Satisfaction outcome score of 21 (range 0-24). The scoping review revealed varying success rates ranging from 51% to 95%, highlighting difficulties in comparison due to variable success definitions and patient case mix. Perineal urethrostomy provides effective treatment for complex anterior urethral strictures, with high patient satisfaction, preserved continence function, and favorable voiding outcomes. It presents a viable option for older and comorbid patients, especially after thorough counseling on expected outcomes and potential risks.

Comparison of the effectiveness of various methods of surgical treatment of male urethral stricture

Comparison of the effectiveness of various methods of surgical treatment of male urethral stricture