Management of postoperative obstruction after bulboprostatic anastomotic urethroplasty for membranous urethral defects secondary to pelvic fracture

OBJECTIVE: To present our experience in the management of postoperative obstruction after bulboprostatic anastomotic urethroplasty for post-traumatic membranous urethral defects secondary to pelvic fracture. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 1979 and 1998 we managed 25 patients with postoperative posterior urethral obstruction after bulboprostatic anastomotic urethroplasty. Of these patients, 17 had undergone one repair and 8 had undergone more than one repair. One case had multiple perineal fistulae. Visual urethrotomy was done in 3 patients, 1 had cross union at the site of the anastomosis, and the other 2 had short passable strictures. In cases of obliterated strictures, bulboprostatic anastomosis was done in 6 patients via the perineal route and in 10 patients via the transpubic route. In 6 patients the urethral obstruction was due to new bone formation (callus) in the pubic gap (after pubectomy) pressing on the anastomatic line, and these cases were treated by removal of the callus. RESULTS: After 1-6 years of follow up (mean 3.16 years) the outcome of the 3 patients who underwent visual urethrotomy was good. Eleven of the 16 patients who underwent anastomotic urethroplasty (68.7%) void well, 2 patients had fair results and the remaining 3 (18.7%) had restenosis. In the 6 patients who had new bone formation in the pubic gap, the obstruction was relieved by removal of the callus. CONCLUSIONS: Visual urethrotomy is limited to very short passable urethral strictures, we do not recommend cutting on the light. End-to-end anastomosis was performed in obliterated strictures. Removal of the new bone formation from the pubectomy gap relieved the urethral obstruction.     

Complex posterior urethral disruptions: management by combined abdominal transpubic perineal urethroplasty

PURPOSE: We present our short-term results of abdominal transpubic perineal urethroplasty for complex posterior urethral disruption. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2000 to March 2005, 21 patients with complex posterior urethral disruption underwent abdominal transpubic perineal urethroplasty. Complex disruption was defined as stricture gap exceeding 3 cm or associated perineal fistulas, rectourethral fistulas, periurethral cavities, false passages, an open bladder neck or previous failed repair. Preoperative voiding cystourethrogram with retrograde urethrogram and cystourethroscopy were done to evaluate the stricture and bladder neck. Followup consisted of symptomatic assessment and voiding cystourethrogram. RESULTS: There were 11 adults and 10 prepubescent boys with an average age of 26 years (range 6 to 62). Mean followup +/- SD was 28 months (range 9 to 40). Mean stricture length was 5.2 +/- 1.4 cm. Of the 21 patients 12 had previously undergone failed urethroplasty. The mean period between original trauma/failed repair and definitive repair was 10.2 +/- 4.3 months. Urethroplasty was achieved through the subpubic route in 16 patients, while 5 required supracrural rerouting. In 20 of 21 patients (95%) postoperative cystourethrography showed a wide, patent anastomosis. Postoperative incontinence developed in 2 of 21 patients (9.5%). Seven of the 21 patients (33%) were impotent after the primary injury, while 3 of 14 (21.4%) had impotence postoperatively. There were no complications related to pubic resection, bowel herniation or periurethral cavity recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Combined abdominal transpubic perineal urethroplasty is a safe procedure in children and adults. It allows wide exposure to create a tension-free urethral anastomosis without significantly affecting continence or potency. Complications of pubic resection are now rarely seen.     

On the art of anastomotic posterior urethroplasty: a 27-year experience

PURPOSE: We determined the various operative details of anastomotic posterior urethroplasty that are essential for a successful result. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 155 patients who had undergone anastomotic repair of posterior urethral strictures or distraction defects between 1977 and 2003. Patient age ranged from 3 to 58 years (mean 21) and all except 1 had sustained a pelvic fracture urethral injury as the initial causative trauma. Repair was performed with a perineal procedure in 113 patients, elaborated perineal in 2 and perineo-abdominal in 40. Followup ranged from 1 to 22 years. RESULTS: The results were successful in 104 (90%) cases after perineal (including 2 elaborated perineal) and in 39 (98%) after perineo-abdominal repair. Successful results were sustained for up to 22 years after surgery. Urinary incontinence did not develop in any patients while 2 lost potency as a direct result of anastomotic surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Of the operative details 3 constitute the gold triad that assures a successful outcome, namely complete excision of scarred tissues, fixation of healthy mucosa of the 2 urethral ends and creation of a tension-free anastomosis. When the bulboprostatic urethral gap is 2.5 cm or less, restoration of urethral continuity may be accomplished with a perineal procedure after liberal mobilization of the bulbar urethra. For defects of 2.5 cm or greater the elaborated perineal or perineo-abdominal transpubic procedure should be used. In the presence of a competent bladder neck, anastomotic surgery does not result in urinary incontinence. Impotence is usually related to the original trauma and rarely (2%) to urethroplasty itself.     

经会阴球膜部尿道吻合术治疗骨盆骨折所致后尿道狭窄的术后并发症回顾性研究

目的:回顾性研究骨盆骨折所致的后尿道狭窄而采用经会阴途径球膜部端端吻合尿道成形术患者的术后并发症。方法:本研究对象为573例因骨盆骨折导致的后尿道狭窄患者,均接受经会阴途径球膜部尿道吻合术,联合逆行和顺行膀胱尿道造影对狭窄长度、部位和程度进行评估。所有患者行经会阴途径一期尿道吻合成形术。以患者术后排尿通畅并且不需要其它干预措施作为手术成功的标志。使用国际勃起功能指数(IIEF)-5问卷调查对术前和术后性功能障碍的患病率进行评估,利用尿垫试验对压力性尿失禁的程度进行评估。结果:573例患者中,504例(88%)成功,69例(12%)不成功。手术后4周去除导尿管,测定尿流率平均最大为(20.52±5.1)ml/s。28例术中直肠损伤并一期修复。10例(1.7%)在术后6个月内尿道狭窄复发,45例在术后6个月~1年期间尿道狭窄复发。所有复发患者接受了再次手术。24例(4.2%)有轻度急迫性尿失禁,28例(4.9%)有轻度压力性尿失禁。术前有487例患者(85%)在受伤后出现勃起功能障碍,术后有492例(86%)发生勃起功能障碍,但术前和术后比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。9例(1.6%)发现在后尿道与膀胱颈之间存在假道。结论:若术前进行谨慎评估,明确解剖结构,术中精细操作,经会阴途径球膜部尿道吻合术相关的大部分并发症是可以避免的。     

Treatment of obliterated membranous and bulbous urethras by direct vision internal urethrotomy

Acute placement of a suprapubic bladder tube followed months later by open urethroplasty has been the traditional manner for managing traumatic disruption of the proximal urethra. The latter procedure has generally been performed via the transpubic or perineal approach. These procedures have been complicated by excessive blood loss, impotence, incontinence, strictures, and extended hospitalizations. Since 1979, 12 patients with obliterated urethras (ten membranous, two bulbous) have been treated by direct vision urethrotomy using a second cystoscope or sound passed through the previously placed suprapubic tract as a guide. Mean blood loss, hospital stay, and followup were 70 ml, 6 days, and 22 months, respectively. Six patients required at least one additional internal urethrotomy. With the exception of one patient who still requires intermittent self-catheterization, all have stable strictures. Ten are continent (one was incontinent secondary to previous radical prostatectomy before urethrotomy and one became incontinent after a TURP performed 3 years after urethrotomy). Five are potent and none lost potency as a result of urethrotomy. Flow rates range from 15-25 ml/second in the continent patients. This is a reasonable first procedure for restoring continuity of traumatically obliterated membranous and bulbous urethras.     

One-stage penile/preputial island flap urethroplasty for difficult posterior urethral strictures

Summary Short traumatic strictures of the membranous urethra can be repaired by excision and end-to-end urethroprostatic anastomosis. Long membranous or bulbomembranous strictures with or without associated periurethral fibrosis, abscess or urinary fistulae require substitution urethroplasty. Tubed full-thickness skin grafts have a poor chance of survival in such circumstances. Scrotal flaps are hairy, but the penile/preputial island flap, which is relatively hairless, is ideal for such reconstructions in one stage. Difficult perineal exposure led to the development of the transpubic and the abdominoperineal routes. Modification of the incision for perineal prostatectomy by dividing the posterior part of the urogenital diaphragm in the midline up to the urethra improves the exposure so that almost all such reconstructions can be done by the perineal route. A total of 21 cases are reviewed. Flap survival is 100%, but stenosis or restricture at the anastomotic sites can occur as a result of faulty technique. These can be treated by internal urethrotomy or excision and reanastomosis.     

1-Stage delayed bulboprostatic anastomotic repair of posterior urethral rupture: 60 patients with 1-year followup

PURPOSE: The long-term results of delayed 1-stage bulboprostatic anastomotic urethroplasty for posterior urethral ruptures are evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 63, 1-stage delayed repairs of complete posterior urethral ruptures in 60 men with at least 1-year followup were reviewed. Two ruptures were due to gunshot wounds and 58 were secondary to a pelvic fracture. There were 58 repairs done by the perineal approach and 5 required an abdominal perineal approach. RESULTS: Surgical complications included 2 (3%) rectal injuries, 3 (5%) repeat strictures that required reoperation and 20 (32%) repeat strictures that required dilation or visual internal urethrotomy. By 1 year after surgery all patients had a patent urethra and did not require further treatment. At 1 year 43 (72%) patients voided normally, 5 (8.3%) were areflexic and performed self-catheterization, 5 (8.3%) had urge incontinence and 5 (8.3%) had mild stress incontinence requiring no treatment. Moderate stress incontinence responded to imipramine in 1 case and collagen injection in 1. Of the patients who were potent preoperatively 31 (52%) remained potent postoperatively. Of the 29 (48%) patients who were impotent preoperatively and immediately postoperatively 9 regained potency at 1 year. However, at 1 year, the quality of erections of the 40 potent men was normal in only 22 (37%) and fair to poor in 18 (30%). CONCLUSIONS: The 1-stage delayed bulboprostatic anastomotic urethroplasty has a good long-term result with little morbidity for treatment of posterior urethral ruptures in men.     

Operative techniques of anastomotic posterior urethroplasty for traumatic posterior urethral strictures

Objective： To elucidate the details of operative technique of anastomotic posterior urethroplasty for traumatic posterior urethral strictures in attempt to offer a successful result. Methods： We reviewed the clinical data of 106 patients who had undergone anastomotic repair for posterior urethral strictures following traumatic pelvic fracture between 1979 and 2004. Patients＇ age ranged from 8 to 53 years （mean 27 years ）. Surgical repair was performed via perinea in 72 patients, modified transperineal repair in 5 and perineoabdominal repair in 29. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 23 years （ mean 8 years ）. Results： Among the 77 patients treated by perineal approaches, 69 （95.8 % ） were successfully repaired and 27 out of the 29 patients （93. 1% ） who were repaired by perineoabdominal protocols were successful. The successful results have sustained as long as 23 years in some cases.Urinary incontinence did not happen in any patients while impotence occurred as a result of the anastomotic surgery. Conclusions： Three important skills or principles will ensure a successful outcome, namely complete excision of scar tissues, a completely normal mucnsa ready for anastomosis at both ends of the urethra, and a tension-free anastomosis. When the urethral stricture is below 2. 5 cm long, restoration of urethral continuity can be accomplished by a perineal procedure. If the stricture is over 2. 5 cm long, a modified perineal or transpubic perineoabdominal procedure should be used. In the presence of a competent bladder neck, anastomotic surgery does not result in urinary incontinence. Impotence is usually related to the original trauma and rarely （5.7 % ） to urethroplasty.     

Internal urethrotomy as a complementary method after urethroplasties for posterior urethral stenosis

Failure of the treatment of posterior urethral stenosis ranges from 10 to 30 per cent. Strictures secondary to pull-through or transpubic urethroplasty are difficult to manage. The management of these strictures is reviewed in 21 children and 84 adults. Of the 105 patients 69 had been treated previously by a perineal pull-through technique and 36 by transpubic urethroplasty. A total of 18 patients (10 in the transpubic and 8 in the pull-through groups) whose results were fair or poor underwent internal urethrotomy with the Sachse knife as a complementary treatment after posterior urethroplasty. Internal urethrotomy provided good results in 8 patients (80 per cent) in the transpubic group and 5 (62.5 per cent) in the pull-through group. None of the patients was incontinent and there was no symptomatic urinary infection postoperatively.     

Posterior urethroplasty in children

A series of 33 posterior urethral strictures in children is presented. The etiology was traumatic in 31 cases and iatrogenic in 2. Complex strictures were treated by a transpubic approach (20 cases) or by a posterior scroto-urethral inlay (1 case). Simple strictures were directly treated via the perineum: by a push-in technique (6 cases); by end-to-end anastomosis (3 cases); by a skin pedicled tube urethroplasty (1 case); by free skin graft (1 case), and by endoscopic urethrotomy (1 case). The use of omentum, employed in 19 cases, is considered a necessary step in transpubic urethroplasty. Favorable results were observed in 18 out of 20 transpubic procedures, in 8 out of 9 perineal urethroplasties and in 3 out of 4 other techniques, with an overall success rate of 87.8%.     

Symphysiotomy: a viable approach for delayed management of posterior urethral injuries in children

PURPOSE: The outcome of symphysiotomy for accessing pelvic fracture related, obliterative urethral strictures is described. MATERIALS AND METHOD: In 7 boys and 3 girls 4 to 13 years old (mean age 6) surgical correction of a pelvic fracture related, obliterative urethral stricture was achieved through symphysiotomy. The stricture involved a prostatomembranous location in boys and complete vesicourethral distraction in girls. Patients were followed an average of 2.5 years (range 6 months to 4 years) by physical examination, urethrography and endoscopy. RESULTS: The stricture was successfully corrected in all patients and all void with a normal flow. All boys are continent but 2 of the 3 girls had early incontinence, which resolved with time in 1. In 2 of the 10 cases a previous attempt at perineal repair had already failed. No patient required urethrotomy or dilation and none had significant hemorrhage, fistulization, bladder hernia, chronic pain or secondary gait disturbance. CONCLUSIONS: Symphysiotomy is hereby revisited as a simple and effective approach for repairing traumatic posterior urethral injuries in the pediatric population. It can be performed instead of transpubic urethroplasty to manage long or otherwise complicated strictures.     

Reconstruction of posterior urethral disruption: tips for success from our experience and from a literature review

Repair of a posterior urethral disruption associated with a pelvic fracture is a challenge for urologic surgeons. Here, we provide surgical and strategic tips to facilitate the delayed surgical repair of urethral distraction defects. Nine patients each with a traumatic posterior urethral distraction defect underwent delayed transperineal or transperineoabdominal bulboprostatic anastomosis. Four patients had previously undergone multiple procedures. Seven patients regained satisfactory urination without incontinence, although one other patient is suffering from incontinence. In one patient, urethral disruption occurred again after removal of the urethral catheter, and he is being managed by suprapubic catheter. In our experience, the key to success is to perform a true bulboprostatic mucosa-to-mucosa anastomosis without tension. For this purpose, a transperineoabdominal approach is of particular importance when the healthy mucosa of the prostatic apex cannot be revealed through a perineal approach due to dense fibrous scar or fractured bone. A partial pubectomy may be necessary according to the situation. By the transperineoabdominal approach, the scar tissue can be bypassed through a broad sub-pubic-arch tunnel, and a reliable anastomosis achieved.     

MANAGEMENT OF OBLITERATIVE POSTTRAUMATIC POSTERIOR URETHRAL STRICTURES AFTER FAILED INITIAL URETHROPLASTY

Purpose

We evaluate the problems encountered during surgery and assess the results of different endoscopic and open surgical methods following failed urethroplasty for posttraumatic posterior urethral stricture.

Materials and Methods

Since 1992 we have treated 23 patients in whom urethroplasty for posterior urethral strictures failed. Of these patients, 3 had undergone 2 previous repairs and 6 had additional complicating factors, such as fistula, periurethral cavity and false passage. End-to-end anastomosis was done in 14 patients via a transperineal (7) or transpubic (7) approach. In 1 patient substitution urethroplasty using a radial artery based forearm free flap was performed. In 3 patients a 2-stage urethroplasty was done, 4 underwent core-through optical internal urethrotomy and 1 underwent endoscopic marsupialization of a false passage.

Results

At 1 to 5-year followup 3 of the 23 patients had restenoses (13%), including 2 in whom previous treatment failed. The remaining 87% of the patients void well and are continent, and there is no worsening of the preexisting potency status.

Conclusions

Previous failed urethral stricture repair complicates management due to fibrosis, impaired vascularity and limited urethra available for mobilization. Recurrent strictures less than 1.5 cm. can be managed successfully with core-through internal urethrotomy. End-to-end anastomosis is possible in the majority with generous use of inferior pubectomy or the transpubic approach with certain modifications. When residual inflammation or long strictures are present a 2-stage procedure is a safer option. Overall, reoperation can offer a successful outcome for the majority of these complex strictures.     

Urinary continence after repair of membranous urethral stricture in prostatectomized patients.

Prostatectomy by open or transurethral techniques usually destroys the function of the internal sphincter (bladder neck), which is the first line of defense against incontinence. Urinary continence then depends upon the intrinsic smooth muscle sphincter of the membranous urethra and the striated external sphincter. Unfortunately, a significant incidence of membranous urethral stricture occurs after a prostatic operation. Most such strictures can be managed with periodic dilatation but some are difficult and dangerous to dilate. Complications such as recurrent acute retention, bacteremia, false passages, stone formation, fistulas and so forth are indications for surgical cure of the stricture. However, can urethroplasty of the membranous urethra be carried out in these patients without inevitable incontinence? At our center 33 prostatectomized patients have had a 2-stage urethroplasty for refractory membranous urethral strictures. Nine patients had troublesome stress incontinence after the first-stage operation but only 4 of these had continuing incontinence after the second-stage operation. These patients had been noted to have transient postoperative stress incontinence after the prostatectomy. Although there is a risk of incontinence after urethroplasty of the membranous urethra in prostatectomized patients, the risk is sufficiently low that the operation should not be denied patients with refractory strictures in whom the only alternative eventually will be some form of urinary diversion.     

Hernias after transpubic urethroplasty

We report 2 cases of herniation following repair of posterior urethral strictures. Both patients underwent transpubic bulboprostatic urethral anastomosis and omentoplasty, which resulted in a perineal hernia in one and a pubic hernia in the other.     

Restoration of posterior aspect of rhabdosphincter shortens continence time after radical retropubic prostatectomy

PURPOSE: Prolonged postoperative incontinence is a major drawback of RRP. Age, scars in the rhabdosphincter, nonnerve sparing surgery and postoperative sphincter insufficiency can cause temporary or definitive urinary incontinence. We believe that sphincter deficiency is the main cause of early incontinence. Urinary leakage results from the shortening of anatomical and functional sphincter length due to caudal retraction of the urethral sphincteric complex and disruption of the median posterior fibrous raphe. We describe a modification of the Walsh RRP that overcomes caudal retraction, reconstructs the posterior fibrous raphe and decreases time to continence. The primary study end point was early continence rate assessment. Long-term continence (1 year) and erectile function assessment were secondary end points. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To avoid caudal retraction of the urethrosphincteric complex, before completing the vesicourethral anastomosis the posterior semicircumference of the sphincter is joined to the residuum of Denonvilliers' fascia and fixed to the posterior bladder wall 1 to 2 cm cranial and dorsal to the new bladder neck. Vesicourethral anastomosis is subsequently performed with care taken not to involve the neurovascular bundles. A total of 161 patients with clinically confined disease underwent modified RRP (group 1). They were compared with a historical series of 50 patients who underwent standard RRP (group 2). Early continence was defined as no pad use but patients using 1 diaper were also considered continent. Continence, assessed prospectively as the number of pads daily, was evaluated 3, 30 and 90 days, and 1 year after catheter removal. The continence state was assessed by a multivariate logistic model. Erectile function was evaluated using the International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire preoperatively and after 18 months in patients younger than 65 years who underwent nerve sparing surgery. RESULTS: In group 1, 116 (72%), 127 (78.8%) and 139 patients (86.3%) were continent 3, 30 and 90 days after catheter removal compared with 7 (14%), 15 (30%) and 23 (46%), respectively, in group 2. One-year continence rates were 96% and 90%, respectively. Erectile function was similar in groups 1 and 2 (46% and 42%, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that continence was significantly influenced by operation type, stage and patient age. CONCLUSIONS: Careful reconstruction of the posterior aspect of the rhabdosphincter markedly shortens time to continence.     

Management of posterior urethral strictures secondary to pelvic fractures in children

Bulboprostatic anastomotic urethroplasty was performed in 20 children with posterior urethral strictures secondary to bony pelvic fractures. The approach was perineal in 4 children and transpubic abdominoperineal in 16, with good postoperative results in 100 and 62.5%, respectively. In some children the urethral disruption occurred within the prostate itself and not at the prostatomembranous junction. In such cases the proximal sphincteric mechanism may be at risk and immediate repair of the injury is advisable. In the case of common prostatomembranous disruption displacement of the urethra may be significant. In such cases a transpubic approach is preferable. If the proximal sphincteric mechanism is deranged, it can be managed at the same time.     

小儿尿道损伤的诊断与治疗

目的：探讨小儿尿道外伤及外伤后尿道狭窄的诊治经验。方法：在8例新鲜完全性后尿道断裂患儿中,3例行经耻骨上与会阴入路的尿道修复术,2例行尿道会师术,2例行膀胱造瘘术,1例女童行经耻骨后尿道吻合术。在18例陈旧性后尿道外伤患儿中,10例行经尿道内切开（TUR）术,4例行经耻骨、会阴联合入路修复术,4例行经会阴修复术。结果：8例新鲜后尿道断裂患儿中,术后出现尿道狭窄5例,不完全尿失禁1例。18例陈旧性尿道蛱雅患儿中,行TUR的成功率为60．0％,经会阴及经耻骨、会阴联合入路行尿道修复术的成功率为91．7％,有不完全尿失禁5例,会阴尿道造瘘尚未修复1例。结论：后尿道外伤的急症处理非常重要,如患儿情况允许,应尽量行经耻骨、会阴联合入路尿道修复术。经尿道内切开适用于绝大多数单纯性后尿道狭窄,经耻骨、会阴联合入路或经会阴修复尿道适用于复杂性后尿道狭窄或TUR失败者。     

Complex urethral disruptions: In pursuit of a successful reconstruction

OBJECTIVES: We analyzed the methods and outcomes of urethroplasty in men with complex urethral disruptions. METHODS: The medical records of 40 men with complex urethral disruptions were analyzed. Surgical methods were individualized according to stricture location, severity and length of the stricture, bladder neck characteristics and presence of complicating factors. Patients were divided into four groups based on the above characteristics. RESULTS: End-to-end urethroplasty performed in six patients with short bulbar strictures (<3 cm) was successful in all. Elaborated perineal repair was performed in 10 patients with intermediate (3-6 cm) strictures with or without complicating factors. Elaborated perineal repair with urethral substitution was performed in nine patients with long segment stricture (>6 cm). Abdominal transpubic repair was successfully applied to patients with rectourethral fistula or lacerated bladder neck. Success rate of anastomotic urethroplasty was 95% while over all success rate was 85%. CONCLUSION: Guidelines for urethral reconstruction of complex urethral disruptions are predicated on stricture length, location, bladder neck characteristics and associated complicating factors. End-to-end urethroplasty with stricture excision is highly reliable for short strictures for which previous operative repair have failed. Elaborated perineal repair is extremely versatile for intermediate and longer strictures with associated complicating factors. Abdominal transpubic urethroplasty is effective for patients with rectourethral fistula or lacerated bladder neck.     

Salvage prostatectomy with continent catheterizable urinary reconstruction: a novel approach to recurrent prostate cancer after radiation therapy

PURPOSE: Salvage prostatectomy after full dose radiation therapy is associated with a high risk of urinary incontinence. We evaluated the complications of salvage prostatectomy with continent catheterizable reconstruction and its impact on urinary incontinence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between August 1995 and February 1999, 13 patients with biopsy proved, locally recurrent prostate cancer after radiation therapy underwent salvage prostatectomy with complete bladder neck closure and reconstruction with an appendicovesicostomy to the native bladder in 9 and ileovesicostomy in 4. RESULTS: There were no intraoperative complications. Four patients had serious complications necessitating reoperation, including a vesicourethral fistula requiring delayed cystectomy, wound dehiscence with disruption of the appendicovesical anastomosis, leakage from the small bowel anastomosis that resulted in sepsis and death, and stomal stenosis requiring delayed stomal revision in 1 each. Of 12 patients 2 (17%) used pads for incontinence, while 10 were dry during the day and night with a catheterization interval of 2 to 6 hours. CONCLUSIONS: Salvage prostatectomy with continent catheterizable reconstruction is a technically challenging operation with the potential for serious complications. The postoperative continence rate is excellent and appears superior to those in the literature for salvage prostatectomy and vesicourethral anastomosis.