Results of complete penile disassembly for epispadias repair in 42 patients

PURPOSE: We evaluated the Mitchell complete penile disassembly technique for epispadias repair. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 42 males 1 month to 22 years old presented for repair of epispadias between 1998 and 2002. Cases were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 included 29 cases of complete epispadias as a component of bladder exstrophy, 8 with previous continent urinary diversion. Group 2 included 13 cases of epispadias alone (10 primary and 3 secondary). Of the 29 patients in group 1, 21 underwent complete penile disassembly as part of 1-stage primary closure of bladder exstrophy. RESULTS: Mean followup was 37.5 months (range 6 to 52). Ischemic changes at the glans penis were observed in 5 cases during our initial experience. Ventral orthotopic meatus was observed in all 42 patients, conical glans in 40 (95.2%), straight shaft in 34 (81%) and urethral fistula in 1 (2.4%). There were no cases of dehiscence, meatal stenosis or urethral stricture. Erectile function was preserved in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Complete penile disassembly is a safe procedure that can provide normalization of the urethra and penis together with satisfactory cosmetic and functional outcome.     

Evaluation of radical prostatectomy capsular margins of resection. The significance of margins designated as negative, closely approaching, and positive

Capsular margins of resection in radical prostatectomy specimens performed for carcinoma of the prostate are difficult to assess because of the scant soft tissue removed with the prostate. There is little objective information as to the validity of what are designated as positive or negative capsular margins of resection. From January 1, 1984 through June 30, 1989 there were 40 radical prostatectomies performed in which the prostate was initially removed leaving the neurovascular bundle within the patient in order to preserve potency. However, based on the surgeons' gross examination of the prostate at the time of radical prostatectomy, the neurovascular bundle was then subsequently removed during the same operation and submitted to pathology as a separate specimen. In these 40 cases the capsular margin in the region of the neurovascular bundle was assessed blindly without knowledge of tumor presence or absence in the subsequently resected neurovascular bundle, and then compared to whether the neurovascular bundle contained tumor. Of the 10 cases called positive based on review of the radical prostatectomy, only six neurovascular bundles (60%) contained tumor. Eight cases had equivocal margins with tumor extending just to the inked margin, and only one (12.5%) had tumor in the neurovascular bundle. All 20 cases with negative assigned margins had complete removal of tumor from this area with none of the neurovascular bundles containing tumor. This study demonstrated that negative capsular margins in radical prostatectomy specimens often contain only a scant amount of soft tissue. Of the 33 cases with true negative margins, the amount of soft tissue between the inked margin and tumor was only greater than 1 mm in two cases and less than or equal to 1 m in 20 cases (less than 0.5 mm in 13 cases with less than 0.25 mm in eight of these cases). Furthermore, 11 cases with tumor extending to the inked margin of resection showed no residual tumor in additional tissue removed from these regions.     

Is there a shortening of the urethral plate in complete penile disassembly used in epispadias repair,and what is its impact on the final outcomes?

Purpose

To assess the importance of shortening of the urethral plate that occurred with complete penile disassembly technique in epispadias repair and its impact on cosmetic and functional results (on urinary incontinence).

Reconstruction of cavernous nerves by nerve grafts to restore potency: contemporary review of technical principles and basic anatomy

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The review discusses the efficacy of reconstructing the neurovascular bundle to regain sexual function if nerve-sparing prostatectomy is unfeasible. RECENT FINDINGS: Eleven studies could be found describing the reconstruction of neurovascular bundles. All reconstructive procedures displayed technical inadequacies. The effectiveness of unilateral neurovascular bundle reconstruction remains statistically insignificant when compared with procedures without reconstruction. The efficacy of reconstructing both neurovascular bundles ranges between 0 and 43%. Concerning basic anatomy, the neurovascular bundle contains fibers innervating the cavernous nerves, prostate, rectum, and levator ani muscle. The terms cavernous nerve and neurovascular bundle have often been wrongly considered synonymous. The pelvic splanchnic nerves probably do not join the neurovascular bundle proximal to the bladder/prostate junction but rather at variable distances from 10 to 20 mm distal to it. Therefore, described proximal coaptation sites at the bladder/prostate junction possibly encompass only the hypogastric nerve. SUMMARY: Modest clinical results are partly due to inadequate surgical techniques and are mainly due to the anatomical and topographical complexity of the cavernous nerves. Contemporary nerve grafting techniques probably do not allow for the regeneration of all cavernous nerves.     

Antegrade approach to radical retropubic prostatectomy in patients with difficult apical dissection

Among 335 radical retropubic prostatectomies an antegrade dissection was used in 30 because of difficulty in developing the usual planes of dissection during apical dissection. The adequacy of tumor resection, preservation of sexual potency and urinary continence were compared in patients who underwent the antegrade dissection and those who underwent the standard retrograde nerve-sparing radical retropubic prostatectomy. Histopathological evaluation revealed no significant difference in the over-all completeness of tumor excision between the group having an antegrade dissection (16 of 30, 53% completely excised) and those having a retrograde dissection (177 of 305, 58% completely excised) (p = 0.62). Patients with clinically localized but pathological stage C disease undergoing an antegrade dissection and a nerve-sparing procedure had a significantly higher incidence of positive lateral margins (9 of 12, 75%) than the comparable group undergoing a retrograde dissection (40 of 99, 40%) (p = 0.02). The incidence of positive apical margins was similar in both groups, with 5 of 14 (36%) of the antegrade stage C cases (36%) having positive apical margins compared to 37 of 117 of the retrograde stage C cases (32%) (p = 0.65). Sexual potency was preserved in 5 of 6 patients (83%) treated with an antegrade dissection who had both neurovascular bundles preserved and were followed for at least 6 months, compared to 86 of 142 (61%) who underwent retrograde dissection (difference not significant, p = 0.26). Potency was preserved in 6 of 13 evaluable patients (46%) undergoing unilateral antegrade nerve-sparing procedure compared to 21 of 48 evaluable patients (44%) undergoing unilateral retrograde nerve-sparing procedure (p = 0.88). Of 22 patients followed for 1 year 21 (95%) have regained urinary continence. We conclude that the antegrade approach to radical retropubic prostatectomy provides results that are comparable to those achieved with the standard retrograde approach but that when an antegrade approach is chosen because of periprostatic fibrosis, bilateral preservation of the neurovascular bundles may result in a higher incidence of positive surgical margins.     

Practical surgical anatomy for radical prostatectomy

Practical guidelines in surgical anatomy for radical prostatectomy can be summarized as follows: 1. There is significant individual variation in the anatomy of the male pelvis. 2. The prostate is covered anteriorly by a prominent detrusor apron. 3. Prostates vary with respect to size and shape. 4. BPH compresses and flattens the peripheral zone. 5. In reality, the puboprostatic ligaments are pubovesical ligaments. 6. The dorsal vein complex of the penis is a neurovascular plexus of veins, arteries, and nerves situated primarily ventral to the prostate and urethra. 7. The urethra from the verumontanum to the penile bulb is sphincteric, with its smooth muscle and elastic tissue components primarily responsible for postprostatectomy urinary continence. 8. Multiple micropedicles tether the neurovascular bundles along the entire posterolateral aspect of the prostate.     

Characteristics of normal prostate vascular anatomy as displayed by power Doppler

BACKGROUND: To define the vascular anatomy of the normal prostate as depicted by power Doppler and to provide baseline data for evaluation of this modality in the diagnosis and management of prostatic disease. METHODS: The vascular anatomy of 40 subjects was studied. Power Doppler images were correlated with corresponding gray-scale images. Doppler spectral waveform measurements were obtained for the vessels identified. RESULTS: Separate branches of the capsular vessels were visualized clearly, distributed radially in the peripheral and central zones and converging toward the center of the gland. Urethral vessels were visualized in the transition zone coursing from bladder neck to verumontanum. The neurovascular bundles were identified posterolaterally along the length of the gland. No significant difference between the resistive indexes of the urethral and capsular vessels was identified (P = 0.595), although there was a significant difference between the resistive index of the neurovascular bundles and that the prostatic vessels (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The vascular anatomy of the normal prostate as displayed by power Doppler demonstrates a reproducible and symmetric flow pattern. Power Doppler is highly sensitive in depicting blood flow, the number, course, and continuity of vessels more readily than other imaging modalities, such as color Doppler. These data should allow comparison of the vascular anatomy of the normal prostate with that of the prostate with diseases such as prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia.     

Extracorporeally irradiated autograft-prosthetic composite arthroplasty with vascular reconstruction for primary bone tumor of the proximal tibia

The proximal tibia is a common site for primary bone tumors. Proximal tibial tumors may invade the adjacent soft-tissue by destroying the cortex and may further invade neurovascular bundles. We treated a patient with primary bone tumor of the proximal tibia with neurovascular invasion by extracorporeally irradiated autograft-prosthetic composite arthroplasty with vascular reconstruction. In cases of concomitant allograft arthroplasty and vascular reconstruction, we recommend that vascular reconstruction be performed before arthroplasty to minimize ischemia time. Good oncological and functional outcomes were achieved 75 months after surgery. Therefore, this reconstruction technique can be considered as a good treatment option.     

Robot‐assisted or pure laparoscopic nerve‐sparing radical prostatectomy: What is the optimal procedure for the surgical margins? A single center experience

Objectives: To compare positive surgical margin rates after robot‐assisted and pure laparoscopic radical prostatectomy when neurovascular bundles are preserved, and to identify parameters affecting surgical margin status. Methods: From March 2004 to January 2009, 279 consecutive prostatectomies with preservation of neurovascular bundles were carried out by the same surgeon: 175 robot‐assisted radical prostatectomies and 104 laparoscopic radical prostatectomies. An intraperitoneal Montsouris's technique was used for all cases. Patient's age, body mass index, prostate weight, prostate‐specific antigen level, clinical stage, preoperative and postoperative Gleason score, percentage of positive biopsies, pathological stage, and positive surgical margin status were prospectively recorded in an institutional database. The two groups were retrospectively analyzed and compared. Results: Positive surgical margin rates were 17% and 13% for the robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy and laparoscopic radical prostatectomy group (P = 0.4), respectively. At multivariable analysis, only prostate‐specific antigen level and prostate weight significantly affected the surgical margin status, where the type of procedure (robotic vs laparoscopic) did not have any effect. Conclusion: In our single‐surgeon experience, prostate‐specific antigen levels and prostate weight are predictive of positive surgical margin in patients undergoing nerve‐sparing radical prostatectomy, whereas there seems to be no difference between the robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy and the laparoscopic radical prostatectomy techniques.     

Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy

Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy is a relatively new approach to the surgical treatment of localized prostate cancer. Since its inception, the technique, however challenging, is undergoing continuous refinements which make it today a feasible, reproducible, and teachable operation practiced by urologists worldwide. The advantages of the laparoscopic approach are a magnified view of the anatomic structures, and a decreased venous bleeding in the surgical field allowing an accurate dissection of the prostate and neurovascular bundles. These advantages translate to a low positive surgical margin rate, low morbidity profile, and favorable postoperative quality of life outcomes. However, since the technique has only been performed for the past 6 years, long term cancer control and functional results data following laparoscopic radical prostatectomy are not available. For a successful laparoscopic prostatectomy program, advanced laparoscopic skills, knowledge of the prostatic anatomy, and expertise in surgical oncology are required.     

Periurethral muscle complex reassembly for exstrophy-epispadias repair

PURPOSE: Continence is a difficult goal in exstrophy-epispadias complex repair. It is presumed that all anatomical components involved in the exstrophy-epispadias abnormality are present but laterally and anteriorly displaced. The penile disassembly technique for epispadias restores the normal anatomical relationship of the male genital components. Its extension to complete primary bladder exstrophy closure enables deeper positioning of the bladder neck within the pelvic diaphragm. We identified the perineal striated muscular complex and present its appropriate periurethral reassembly as a main step in exstrophy-epispadias complex repair. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bladder exstrophy and epispadias repairs were performed in 10 male and 3 female consecutive patients with the exstrophy-epispadias complex, including 1-stage reconstruction in 2 male newborns and 2 females with exstrophy, and as further surgery in a female with cloacal exstrophy and previous failed 1-stage repair, 4 males with incontinent epispadias (secondary repair in 1) and 4 males with epispadias in whom exstrophy closure had been previously done. In the males after bladder plate closure and corporeal body splitting a sagittal incision was made in the intersymphyseal tissue and extended posteriorly to the perineal body midline. The bipolar electrical stimulator was used to identify pelvic muscle components in the sagittal plane and reapproximate them along the tubularized posterior urethra to form the periurethral muscle complex. In the 3 females the urethral plate and vagina were similarly mobilized posterior through the sagittal incision of the perineal body. No patient underwent bladder neck plasty. RESULTS: At 9 months to 4 years of followup cosmesis was good in 12 patients, while 1 required secondary glanular urethroplasty. There was mild pyelectasis in 3 cases but no severe hydronephrosis and no renal function deterioration. Pyelonephritis developed in 6 patients (46%). Cystography at 1 year showed that bladder capacity was 35 to 80 and 65 to 120 cc in exstrophy and epispadias cases, respectively. There was cyclic voiding with 30 to 90-minute dry intervals in 7 patients (54%), of whom 5 had exstrophy and 2 had epispadias. Daytime voiding control with a 2 to 3-hour voiding interval was achieved in 1 female with exstrophy and 2 patients with epispadias (23%). Incontinence was present in 2 patients with previous exstrophy closure and 1 with cloacal exstrophy (23%). CONCLUSIONS: Early restoration of a physiological vesicourethral balance of coordinated activity is feasible for the progressive achievement of continence in patients with the exstrophy-epispadias complex. Sagittal splitting of the perineal tissue with identification of the muscle components as well as midline reassembly of the periurethral striated muscular complex helps to reconfigure the pelvic anatomy in a more normal fashion and allows better restoration of coordinated vesicourethral activity.     

Continent urinary reservoir in exstrophy/epispadias complex.

The outcome of 15 children and young adults who underwent reconstruction of continent urinary reservoirs (CUR) from January 1987 to 1990 is presented. Ten patients were male and 5 female with an age range of 3 to 20 years. There were 13 patients with bladder exstrophy and 2 with incontinent epispadias. In 8 cases the urinary diversion was performed for an inadequate bladder capacity following successful closure (3), failed attempted closure (3), female epispadias (1) and following successful urethroplasty in 1 case of male epispadias. A tiny fibrotic bladder plate unsuitable for attempted closure was the indication for diversion in 3 patients. Faecal and urinary incontinence following ureterosigmoidostomy (2 patients) and trigonosigmoidostomy (2) was the reason to consider re-diversion in 4 previously diverted patients. In 10 patients an Indiana pouch was performed. The Mitrofanoff procedure was used in 5 cases with caecum (2), sigmoid colon (2) or transverse colon (1) as the urinary reservoir. All patients are continent on clean intermittent catheterisation with stable renal function. Three patients developed large stones within the reservoir and needed open cystolithotomy. This series supports the efficacy of CUR as an alternative procedure to traditional forms of urinary diversion in the management of selected patients with exstrophy/epispadias complex.     

Distal Extension of the Direct Anterior Approach to the Hip: A Cadaveric Feasibility Study

Background

The direct anterior approach (DAA) is becoming more popular as the standard surgical approach for primary total hip arthroplasty. However, femoral complications of up to 2.8% have been reported. Therefore, it is important for surgeons to understand the periarticular neurovascular anatomy in order to safely deal with intraoperative complications.

Extended Followup of the Influence of Wide Excision of the Neurovascular Bundle(s) on Prognosis in Men with Clinically Localized Prostate Cancer and Extensive Capsular Perforation

Purpose

The effect of wide excision of the neurovascular bundles on disease-free survival was determined in men with clinically localized prostate cancer and pathological evidence of extensive capsular perforation in the region of the neurovascular bundle.

Materials and Methods

We previously analyzed 107 men with clinically localized prostate cancer and pathological evidence of extensive capsular perforation in the region of the neurovascular bundles. Wide excision of the neurovascular bundle on the sides of palpable induration resulted in negative surgical margins in 58 percent of patients compared to only 45 percent in whom the neurovascular bundles were left intact (p = 0.03). At a mean followup of 20 months, median interval to disease recurrence as defined by a measurable PSA level was 33 months in patients whose neurovascular bundle(s) were widely excised versus 22 months in those whose neurovascular bundle(s) were left intact (p = 0.03). However, by 43 months 75 percent of the patients in both groups had a detectable prostate specific antigen and the Kaplan-Meier curves had converged, suggesting that wide excision of the neurovascular bundle(s) did not confer a sustained survival advantage.

Results

With an additional followup of 28 months, the probability of having an undetectable prostate specific antigen level at 5 years was 47 percent in patients with negative versus 6 percent with positive surgical margins (p less than 0.001).

Conclusions

Our extended followup suggests that some patients with extensive capsular perforation can be rendered free of disease with wide excision of the neurovascular bundle(s).     

ORTHOTOPIC URINARY DIVERSION WITH PRESERVATION OF ERECTILE AND EJACULATORY FUNCTION IN MEN REQUIRING RADICAL CYSTECTOMY FOR NONUROTHELIAL MALIGNANCY: A NEW TECHNIQUE

PURPOSE: Nerve sparing techniques to preserve sexual function in men undergoing cystoprostatectomy have been well documented. The patient who desires to remain fertile with ejaculatory function poses an additional challenge. We describe a new technique for radical cystectomy and orthotopic diversion with preservation of the vasa deferentia, seminal vesicles, posterior prostate and neurovascular bundles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four men with a median age of 26 years presented with bladder pathology necessitating cystectomy, including signet ring carcinoma of the bladder dome, leiomyosarcoma of the anterior bladder wall, leiomyosarcoma of the lateral bladder wall, and extensive polypoid cystitis glandularis of the trigone and posterior wall refractory to conservative and transurethral management. All patients wished to maintain fertility and ejaculatory function. We detail the surgical technique of extirpation of the bladder and anterior proximal prostate en bloc with preservation of the vasa deferentia, seminal vesicles, posterior prostate and neurovascular bundles as well as construction of an orthotopic reservoir. RESULTS: Followup ranges from 4 months to 5 years. All patients remain completely continent and void to completion without difficulty. Erectile function is normal in all cases. Of 3 patients who ejaculate antegrade 1 has fathered a child. The remaining patient ejaculates retrograde. There has been no tumor recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: The technique of cystectomy with preservation of the vasa deferentia, seminal vesicles, posterior prostate and neurovascular bundles is an excellent option in men with nonurothelial malignancy or another pathological condition that necessitates cystectomy, and in whom preservation of fertility and potency is desirable. All of our patients are fully potent and achieve ejaculation. Even the patient with retrograde ejaculation remains fertile. In terms of practicality semen retrieval from urine is much simpler than epididymal sperm aspiration and in vitro fertilization.     

A cadaveric histological investigation of the prostate with three-dimensional reconstruction for better results in continence and erectile function after radical prostatectomy

In this study our aim is to increase the understanding of the prostate and related organs anatomy for better continence and erectile function results after urological surgery. Prostate and related organs were dissected from seven cadavers. After dissection, 165 serial sections with 300 microm thickness were derived at a 100 microm interval. The histological images were examined and imported to the computer. Three-dimensional (3D) remodeling had been performed. The findings were evaluated into three categories: macroscopic, microscopic and 3D reconstruction. Striated muscle fibers had been detected at the anterior fibromuscular stroma in histological sections. In 3D remodeling, urethra seemed to be a complete functional unit, beginning from the trigone up to the membranous urethra. The neurovascular bundles run under the pelvic fascia on both sides and go through to the bladder neck at 5 and 7 o'clock. Computer remodeling demonstrated that neurovascular structures had a close association with the bladder neck and the seminal vesicle. Computer program made it possible to rotate all 3D-reconstructed figures by 360 degrees and examine them from all possible angles. All reconstructed structures can be examined together at the same time or one by one. Surgeons must pay special attention to the continence area described as a single unit, beginning from trigone to the membranous urethra, during the surgery. Meticulous dissection of the neurovascular bundles, especially close to the seminal vesicles and bladder neck, during the radical prostatectomy is necessary. These reconstructions can be used for the educational purpose of medical students as well as the urology surgeons.     

The New York University nerve sparing algorithm decreases the rate of positive surgical margins following radical retropubic prostatectomy

PURPOSE: We developed an algorithm that prospectively defines when to excise the neurovascular bundles during radical retropubic prostatectomy with the goal of maximizing the performance of nerve sparing procedures while minimizing positive surgical margins. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 1 to December 31, 2000 a single surgeon performed 272 radical retropubic prostatectomies and 263 were performed from January 1 to December 31, 2001. A single pathologist analyzed all specimens with positive margins. There were no prospectively defined criteria to guide decisions regarding excision of the neurovascular bundles in the 2000 study cohort. Gleason score, percent tumor volume and perineural invasion were independently analyzed in the biopsy specimens according to the site of origin (right versus left side) for the 2001 group only. The ipsilateral neurovascular bundle was excised for Gleason 6 or less tumors when there were 50% or greater tumor volume in the biopsy specimen and perineural invasion, for Gleason 7 tumors when there was 30% or greater tumor volume, or perineural invasion and for Gleason 8 to 10 tumors when there was 10% or greater tumor volume, or perineural invasion. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between the 2000 and 2001 groups in regard to preoperative prostate specific antigen, clinical and pathological stage, biopsy Gleason score and percent tumor volume in the surgical specimen. There was a statistically significant decrease in the incidence of positive margins between the 2000 and 2001 groups (14% versus 8%, p = 0.027). The lower positive margin rate was not achieved because of a tendency to excise more neurovascular bundles since a significantly greater percent of neurovascular bundles was preserved in the 2001 group. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy of our algorithm were 18%, 93%, 28%, 89% and 84%, respectively. In sides of the prostate with extraprostatic extension ipsilateral wide excision of the neurovascular bundle was associated with positive margins in 33% of cases compared with 22% when the neurovascular bundle was preserved (p = 0.42). CONCLUSIONS: The New York University nerve sparing algorithm prospectively defines when to excise the neurovascular bundle based on Gleason score, perineural invasion and tumor volume in the biopsy specimen. Use of this algorithm decreases positive surgical margin rates, while significantly increasing the preservation of neurovascular bundles.     

筋膜内切除法在腹腔镜下前列腺癌根治术中的应用

目的 探讨筋膜内切除法在腹腔镜下根治性前列腺切除术中的应用.方法 前列腺癌患者23例,平均年龄65岁.术前PSA 4.5～8.6(6.25 ±2.1)ng/ml;临床分期T1 16例、T2 7例;活检组织Gleason评分:5分3例、6分11例、7分9例.有性生活者18例.行腹腔镜下根治性前列腺切除术.不打开盆内筋膜,自前列腺基底部沿前部正中线纵形切开前列腺筋膜,贴前列腺包囊分离前列腺前面、两侧、尖部.保留神经血管束.保护前列腺尖尿道相连处括约肌.结果 23例手术顺利.平均手术时间125(110～170)min.出血量320～1500(550±210)ml,输血3例.平均留置尿管12(9～15)d.术后随访12个月,完全尿控20例(87%).有轻微压力性尿失禁3例(13%).18例术前有性生活的患者能充分勃起完成性交13例(72%).随访期间出现生化复发2例(9%).结论 腹腔镜下筋膜内切除法剥离前列腺对前列腺周围筋膜、附着于筋膜的神经血管束以及尿道外括约肌损伤小.手术方法可行.     

Bulboprostatic anastomotic urethroplasty with preservation of potency: anatomical study, operative approach and clinical results

OBJECTIVE. To identify the precise anatomy of the membranous and bulbous urethrae and their relation to the neurovascular bundles (cavernous nerves and vessels). Based on the findings, a modified surgical technique was developed to preserve potency by avoiding injury to the neurovascular bundles during surgery on the posterior urethra. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The material for this study consisted of 10 male cadavers. We injected eight cadavers with a mixture of red latex and lead oxide. By means of meticulous dissection we removed the bladder, prostate, urethra, penis, surrounding vessels and nerves. We also identified the anatomical relations between various urogenital structures and the vessels and nerves. We examined the specimens radiologically. In the other two cadavers, we removed the membranous urethrae and subjected them to histological examination. We used haematoxylin-eosin and Verhoeff von Gieson stains to study the elastic tissues. RESULTS: The membranous urethra measured 2.5-3 cm in length. It originated from the lower third of the anterior surface of the prostate (and not from the apex) as a continuation of the prostatic urethra. The wall of the membranous urethra contained abundant elastic fibres. The neurovascular bundles were located posterolateral to the mid-portion of the prostate and prostatic apex. Near the apex the neurovascular bundle divided into two parts: a larger anterior part and a smaller posterior part. The anterior part crossed the membranous urethra, then the bulb of the penis at the 1 and 11 o'clock positions and finally entered the corpus cavernosum. The posterior part crossed the membranous urethra more posteriorly to enter the bulb of the penis. Between 1992 and 2003 we managed 22 patients (age range 16-50 years) with posterior urethral obstruction secondary to pelvic fracture by means of bulboprostatic anastomosis. We managed 17 patients via the perineal route and five via a combined perineoabdominal-transpubic route. All of these patients were potent before the operation, which proved the integrity of the neurovascular bundles. We could spare the anterior divisions of the neurovascular bundles (greater cavernous nerves and vessels) during their crossing of the bulb of the penis by cutting and dissecting within the bulb (not outside it) before dismembering it from the urogenital diaphragm. We also refrained from any dissection of the apex and the posterolateral surfaces of the prostate to avoid injury to the neurovascular bundles. At 6-year follow-up (range 1-10 years) 21/22 patients preserved their potency, giving a success rate of 95.45%. Of the 22 patients, two became temporarily impotent after the operation but regained potency within a period of 4-6 months. CONCLUSION: Our technique of neurovascular bundle preservation during bulboprostatic anastomotic urethroplasty may solve the problem of postoperative impotence.