Changing practice in anterior urethroplasty

OBJECTIVE: To describe our experience of penile urethral repair and reconstruction, cataloguing the change in practice from one-stage flap to two-stage free graft procedures for anterior urethroplasty. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 1992 and December 1996, 79 patients underwent anterior urethroplasty. Of the 45 one-stage bulbar patch urethroplasties, 37 (76%) used buccal mucosal free grafts rather than flaps. Of the 34 penile urethroplasties, 26 (82%) (including all of the circumferential reconstructions) were two-stage procedures. RESULTS: Buccal mucosal free grafts were at least as good as local skin flaps for patch urethroplasty and two-stage repairs gave much better results than one-stage repairs for total circumferential reconstruction of the penile urethra. CONCLUSIONS: For a patch urethroplasty of an uncomplicated stricture in the bulbar urethra, buccal mucosal free grafts are now the material of choice. For a patch urethroplasty of an uncomplicated stricture in the penile urethra the Orandi procedure remains the 'gold standard'. For a circumferential repair of the urethra, particularly the penile urethra, a two-stage repair using a free graft gives better results than a one-stage repair using a flap.     

Dorsal onlay techniques for urethroplasty

Dorsal onlay graft urethroplasty is a versatile procedure which may be combined with various substitute materials such as preputial skin, buccal mucosa grafts or pedicled flaps. Others substitute materials such as human urethral mucosa from corpses or collagen matrix will be possible in future. The long-term results of a wide series of patients showed a final success rate from 92% to 97%. Any kind of substitution urethroplasty deteriorate over time, and in our series of patients with an extended follow-up from 21.5 to 43 months the success rate of dorsal onlay graft urethroplasty decreased from 92% to 85%. With regard to substitute material concerns (buccal mucosa versus preputial skin) a long-term follow-up is mandatory to establish if buccal mucosa is superior to foreskin as urethral substitute material. At present, the authors currently use both according to patient preference, status of the genital tissues or strictures characteristics.     

CORONAL CUFF: A PROBLEM SITE FOR BUCCAL MUCOSAL GRAFTS

PURPOSE: Urethral reconstruction of complex hypospadias or epispadias continues to present a significant challenge. Buccal mucosa as an onlay or tube graft is an excellent option when faced with paucity of penile skin. We identified the factors that lead to success or failure in these repairs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During 6 years we placed 34 buccal mucosal grafts in 31 patients to repair complex hypospadias and epispadias. Penile skin was preferentially used for urethroplasty but a free buccal mucosal graft was used for reconstruction due to lack of adequate penile skin. The cases were complicated with an average of 5 previous unsuccessful repairs each in 16. Grafts ranged from 1.5 to 10 cm. and 10 patients required pieced grafts. We created 1 combination, 16 onlay and 17 full tube grafts. Buccal mucosa was used with a Thiersch-Duplay urethroplasty in 8 patients. RESULTS: Anastomotic stricture in 5 patients was proximal in 4. Fistula was a complication in 13 grafts that generally developed on the distal shaft, particularly at the coronal cuff. Of the 7 patients who underwent proximal Thiersch-Duplay urethroplasty with a distal buccal graft 6 had a coronal fistula. Fistula was more common with tube and pieced than with onlay grafts. CONCLUSIONS: Fistula is overwhelmingly the most common complication after buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty. Most fistulas develop at the coronal cuff, and we suspect that skin coverage and potential blood supply have not been good in that region. Anticipation of this problem during stage 1 of hypospadias repair would allow more advantageous distribution of the existing penile skin. Good distal skin coverage cannot be compromised in these complex cases.     

Long-term followup of the ventrally placed buccal mucosa onlay graft in bulbar urethral reconstruction

PURPOSE: We investigate whether the short-term success rate (greater than 90%) of buccal mucosa free grafts in the bulbar urethra is sustained in the long term. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 60 patients a ventrally placed buccal mucosa graft was used for repair of bulbar urethral strictures. Of these patients 49 had undergone previous attempt at repair (urethroplasty in 4, internal urethrotomy in 45). Mean graft length was 4.8 cm. In 9 patients a distal penile fasciocutaneous flap was also used for repair of concomitant penile urethral stricture. In 8 of the 9 patients the buccal mucosa graft was combined with end-to-end urethroplasty and 2 buccal mucosa grafts were used in tandem in 1. Followup was at least 1 year in all cases (mean 47 months, range 12 to 107). Failure was defined as an obstructive voiding pattern with radiographic or cystoscopic evidence of recurrent stricture. RESULTS: Bulbar stricture repair was successful in 54 patients (90%) and 4 of the remaining 6 responded to 1 internal urethrotomy for a long-term success rate of 97%. Preoperative clinical characteristics were not significantly different between those who experienced success or failure. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term outcome analysis of ventrally placed buccal mucosa onlay grafts for bulbar urethral strictures demonstrates a durable success rate of 90%. This rate can be improved (97%) with the judicious use of internal urethrotomy.     

Dorsal onlay graft urethroplasty for repair of bulbar urethral stricture

PURPOSE: We report the early outcome of dorsal full-thickness penile skin grafts in the repair of bulbar urethral stricture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During 27 months 29 men with a mean age of 43 years (range 10 to 81) underwent dorsal onlay graft urethroplasty. Followup included retrograde urethrogram at 3 weeks, 3 months and 12 to 18 months, and thereafter when needed. Urinary flow was recorded as subjectively reported by the patients. RESULTS: The technique was used only for bulbar urethral strictures. A total of 23 patients (79%) had undergone previous direct vision urethrotomy and/or open surgery. Dorsal onlay graft urethroplasty was used alone in 12 patients (41%), and was performed with partial stricture excision and ventral strip anastomosis in 13 (45%). In another 4 patients (14%) the procedure was combined with an Orandi flap because the stricture extended significantly into the penile urethra. Penile skin grafts were used in 27 patients (93%), whereas buccal mucosa was harvested in 2. Mean graft length was 6 cm. (range 3 to 9), and width ranged between 1.5 and 3 cm. Outcome was favorable in 28 patients (97%) for a median followup of 19 months (range 10 to 37). One patient had symptomatic proximal stricture recurrence and 3 had radiographic evidence of caliber decrease of the repair but with no impact on urinary flow. CONCLUSIONS: Dorsal onlay graft urethroplasty is a versatile procedure which may be combined with stricture excision and ventral strip anastomosis or an Orandi flap. Conceptually the technique offers the advantages of spread fixation of the graft on a fixed well vascularized surface, which may improve graft neovascularization, reduce graft shrinkage and avoid sacculation. Although the early outcome is promising, dorsal onlay graft urethroplasty has yet to stand the test of time.     

Current controversies in anterior urethral stricture repair: free-graft versus pedicled skin-flap reconstruction

Reconstruction of long anterior urethral strictures that cannot be excised and reanastomosed remains controversial. We critically reviewed the literature on free-graft and pedicled skin-flap urethroplasty to determine the optimal method of repair. Overall, free grafts were successful in 84.3% of cases and flaps, in 85.9%. Buccal mucosa grafts are the most successful method for reconstruction of bulbar urethral strictures. For strictures in the penile urethral or a compromised graft bed a distal penile skin flap is the most reliable and tested approach. Dorsal free-graft urethroplasty may be considered when penile skin deficiency prevents use of a flap. For the most complex strictures, in which a flap is not possible and the graft bed is of poor quality, a mesh graft in two stages may be the only option. Thus, for reconstruction of complex anterior urethral strictures, both free-graft and flap procedures remain indispensable.     

复杂性尿道下裂修复失败后的治疗

目的 探讨不同游离黏膜、带蒂皮瓣或二种组织拼接尿道成形术治疗复杂性尿道下裂修复失败后病例的效果.方法 采用3种游离黏膜或带蒂阴茎皮瓣尿道成形治疗尿道下裂修复失败后患者36例,其中带蒂阴茎皮瓣尿道成形7例,舌黏膜与阴茎皮瓣拼接重建尿道3例.结肠黏膜重建尿道2例,1条舌黏膜重建尿道9例,1条颊黏膜重建尿道7例,采用2条口腔内黏膜拼接重建尿道8例.阴茎用弹力绷带包扎4 d,每天用抗生素液冲洗尿道1次.结果 36例术后随访3～84个月,平均32.6个月.术后2～3周发牛尿瘘4例.术后2～3个月新尿道发生狭窄3例,其中吻合口狭窄1例.经尿道扩张5次后排尿通畅;尿道外口狭窄2例,经手术矫正后均排尿通畅,Q_(max)分别为37.3和28.7 ml/s.余者排尿通畅,尿线粗,Q_(max) 18.0～46.0 ml/s,平均26.8 ml/s.结论 舌黏膜与颊黏膜具有取材方便、创伤小的特点,较适合于尿道下裂修复失败后皮源少患者的尿道重建.     

舌黏膜与颊黏膜或包皮拼接重建尿道治疗长段尿道狭窄

目的 探讨舌黏膜与颊黏膜或包皮拼接尿道成形治疗多节段或长段尿道狭窄的安全性和治疗效果.方法 尿道狭窄患者11例,年龄24～56岁,平均32岁.其中前尿道长段狭窄7例,狭窄长度10～15 cm,平均12 cm;尿道2～3处狭窄4例.病程6个月～8年.取舌黏膜条与颊黏膜条拼接尿道成形治疗7例,舌黏膜条与包皮瓣拼接尿道成形治疗4例.结果 11例手术顺利.1例舌黏膜与包皮拼接尿道成形患者术后3个月并发尿道外口狭窄,经手术矫正后排尿通畅,术后8个月最大尿流率27.5 ml/s.余10例排尿通畅、尿线粗,术后随访5～12个月,平均10个月,最大尿流率21～36 ml/s,平均26.8 ml/s.结论 舌黏膜与颊黏膜或包皮拼接尿道成形具有取材方便、患者创伤小的特占点,是治疗长段尿道律窄的较好术式.尤其适用于尿道多处狭窄者.     

A comparison of one-stage procedures for post-traumatic urethral stricture repair

OBJECTIVE: To compare the results and complication rates of various one-stage treatments for repairing a post-traumatic urethral stricture. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The medical records of 153 patients who had a post-traumatic urethral stricture repaired between 1977 and 2003 were evaluated retrospectively, and analysed for the different types of urethral reconstruction. RESULTS: The procedures included direct end-to-end anastomosis in 86 (56%) patients, free dorsal onlay graft urethroplasty using preputial or inguinal skin in 40 (26%), ventral onlay urethroplasty using buccal mucosa in seven (5%) and ventral fasciocutaneous flaps on a vascular pedicle in 20 (13%). At a mean (median, range) follow-up of 75.2 (38, 12-322) months, 121 (79%) patients had no evidence of recurrent stricture, while in 32 men (21%) they were detected at a mean follow-up of 30.47 (1-96) months. Patients having a dorsal onlay urethroplasty had the longest strictures. The re-stricture rate was lowest after a dorsal onlay urethroplasty (5% vs 27% when treated with end-to-end anastomosis, 15% after fasciocutaneous flaps and 57% after a ventral buccal mucosal graft). The surgical technique used had no effect on postoperative incontinence or erectile dysfunction rates. CONCLUSION: In patients with strictures which are too long to be excised and re-anastomosed, tension-free dorsal onlay urethroplasty is better than ventral graft or flap techniques. In patients with short urethral strictures direct end-to-end anastomosis remains an option for the one-stage repair of urethral stricture.     

Surgical techniques in substitution urethroplasty using buccal mucosa for the treatment of anterior urethral strictures

OBJECTIVES: Since the resurgence in the use of buccal mucosa (BM) in substitution urethroplasty in the late 1980s and early 1990s, there has been controversy as to which surgical technique is the most appropriate for its application.METHODS: The authors performed an updated literature review. Several centres have published widely on this topic, and the points considered include the use BM in dorsal onlay grafts, ventral onlay grafts, and tubularised grafts and the role of two-stage procedures.RESULTS: In experienced hands, the outcomes of both dorsal onlay grafts and ventral onlay grafts in bulbar urethroplasty are similar. The dorsal onlay technique is, however, possibly less dependent on surgical expertise and therefore more suitable for surgeons new to the practice of urethroplasty. The complications associated with ventral onlay techniques can be minimised by meticulous surgical technique, but in series with longer follow-up, complications still tend to be more prevalent. In penile urethroplasty, two-stage dorsal onlay of BM (after complete excision of the scarred urethra) still provides the best results, although in certain circumstances a one-stage dorsal onlay procedure is possible. In general, ventral onlay of BM and tube graft procedures in the management of penile strictures are associated with much higher rates of recurrence and should therefore be avoided.CONCLUSIONS: In experienced hands the results of the ventral and dorsal onlay of BM for bulbar urethroplasty are equivalent. Two-stage procedures are preferable in the penile urethra, except under certain circumstances when a one-stage dorsal onlay is feasible.     

Dorsal or ventral placement of the preputial/penile skin onlay flap for anterior urethral strictures:does it make a difference?

OBJECTIVE: To report our experience in managing complex anterior urethral strictures with a dorsally/dorsolaterally placed penile/preputial vascularized flap, and to discuss the advantages of this procedure over a traditional ventrally placed flap. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1995 and 1999, 40 patients (mean age 40.5 years) with recurrent strictures of the pendulous and/or bulbar urethra were treated with longitudinal penile/circumpenile flap substitution urethroplasty. Nineteen patients underwent dorsal placement of the flap as an onlay (DO), whereas 21 patients had a ventral onlay (VO). Five patients needed inferior pubectomy to facilitate high proximal placement of the flap. RESULTS: Both groups had statistically similar ages, number of previous interventions, stricture site, length and follow-up. After a median follow-up of 27.5 months, the stricture recurred in three (24%) of the VO and two (11%) of the DO groups (P > 0.05). One patient in the VO group required surgical closure of the urethral fistula. Flap pseudo-diverticulum and/or sacculation with postvoid dribble occurred in six patients in the VO and none in the DO group (P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Dorsal placement of the pedicled flap is anatomically and functionally more appropriate than the traditional VO placement. DO preputial/penile flap urethroplasty is a versatile procedure and can be applied even for long anterior urethral strictures, including reconstruction of the meatus and high proximal bulbar strictures.     

Buccal mucosal urethroplasty: a versatile technique for all urethral segments

OBJECTIVE: To present our experience with buccal mucosa urethroplasty for substitution of all segments of the anterior urethra, as the buccal mucosal graft (BMG) has emerged as the tissue of choice for single-stage reconstruction of bulbar urethral strictures, but its use for reconstructing meatal, pendulous and pan-urethral strictures has not been widely reported. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 1998 and October 2003, 92 patients had a BMG substitution urethroplasty at our institution; 75 had a single-stage dorsal onlay BMG urethroplasty (bulbar 41, pendulous 16 and pan-urethral 18; six combined penile skin flap and BMG) and 17 (pendulous five, pan-urethral 10, bulbar two) a two-stage urethroplasty. Recurrence rates, complications and cosmetic outcomes were analysed retrospectively. RESULTS: Over a median (range) follow-up of 34 (8-72) months, 66 (88%) patients with a one-stage reconstruction (14/16 pendulous; 37/41, 90%, bulbar; 15/16 pan-urethral) remained stricture-free. The mean (range) time to recurrence was 9.4 (3-17) months. Of the nine recurrent strictures, six were managed by one-stage optical urethrotomy and three required a repeat urethroplasty. In patients who had a staged procedure, after a mean follow-up of 24.2 (9-56) months, one had complete graft loss, requiring re-grafting, five required stomal revision after stage 1, and only two (12%) developed a recurrent stricture after the two-stage urethroplasty. CONCLUSION: A one-stage dorsal onlay BMG urethroplasty provides excellent results for strictures involving any segment of the anterior urethra. The BMG appears to be the most versatile urethral substitute, as it can be successfully used for both one- and two-stage reconstruction of the entire anterior urethra.     

Buccal mucosa urethroplasty for the treatment of bulbar urethral strictures

PURPOSE: We report the results of urethroplasty with a free graft of buccal mucosa as a dorsal onlay for the treatment of bulbar urethral strictures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Since June 1994, 30 patients with bulbar urethral strictures have been treated with buccal mucosa urethroplasty. Urethroplasty was performed with a free graft of buccal mucosa using a ventral onlay in the first 7 patients and a dorsal onlay in 23. Dorsal urethrotomy was performed with a Sachse urethrotome after the bulbar urethra was separated from the corpora. The buccal mucosa onlay was sutured to the urethra and corpora cavernosa to ensure a patent urethra. RESULTS: At 20-month followup (range 3 to 50) the success rate was 96% (29 of 30 patients). Urethral stricture recurred in only 1 of 7 patients in the ventral onlay and none of 23 in the dorsal onlay group. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary results of urethroplasty for bulbar urethral strictures with a dorsal onlay graft of buccal mucosa are excellent. Longer followup is needed to evaluate definitive results.     

Treatment of urethral defects: skin, buccal or bladder mucosa, tube or patch? An experimental study in dogs

PURPOSE: We studied 3 graft materials and 2 urethroplasty techniques in 24 adult male mongrel dogs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The animals were divided into 2 equal groups. In group 1 a 4 cm. segment of perineal urethra was excised and tubed urethroplasty was performed using free full-thickness skin, buccal and bladder mucosa grafts in 4 dogs each. In group 2 a 4 cm. urethral strip was excised and onlay urethroplasty was performed using the same graft materials in 4 dogs each. Retrograde urethrography was done and the animals were sacrificed at week 12. Autopsy specimens were calibrated with a 10Fr catheter. Hematoxylin and eosin stained sections were examined. Masson's trichrome stain was used to determine the extent of fibrosis. RESULTS: Urethral stricture was diagnosed by radiology and confirmed by calibration in 8 of the 12 dogs (66%) in group 1 but in only 1 of the 12 (8%) in group 2 (p <0.004). Buccal mucosa grafts were associated with the lowest stricture rate of 12%, followed by 37% for bladder mucosa and 62% for skin (p <0.2). There was no difference in neovascularization among the 3 grafts. Graft shrinkage was less than 10% for buccal mucosa compared with 20% to 40% for skin and bladder mucosa. The shrinkage rate was similar for the onlay and tube techniques. The intensity of chronic inflammation and fibrosis was highest in the skin grafts. Circumferential fibrosis was noted in association with tubed urethroplasty but not with the onlay technique. CONCLUSIONS: The theoretical advantages of buccal mucosal grafts were pathologically demonstrated. When possible, grafts should be used as an onlay rather than as a complete tube.     

Substitution urethroplasty using oral mucosa graft for male anterior urethral stricture disease: Current topics and reviews

Male anterior urethral stricture is scarring of the subepithelial tissue of the corpus spongiosum that constricts the urethral lumen, decreasing the urinary stream. Its surgical management is a challenging problem, and has changed dramatically in the past several decades. Open surgical repair using grafts or flaps, called substitution urethroplasty, has become the gold standard procedure for anterior urethral strictures that are not amenable to excision and primary anastomosis. Oral mucosa harvested from the inner cheek (buccal mucosa) is an ideal material, and is most commonly used for substitution urethroplasty, and lingual mucosa harvested from the underside of the tongue has recently emerged as an alternative material with equivalent outcome. Onlay augmentation of oral mucosa graft on the ventral side (ventral onlay) or dorsal side (dorsal onlay, Barbagli procedure) has been widely used for bulbar urethral stricture with comparable success rates. In bulbar urethral strictures containing obliterative or nearly obliterative segments, either a two‐sided dorsal plus ventral onlay (Palminteri technique) or a combination of excision and primary anastomosis and onlay augmentation (augmented anastomotic urethroplasty) are the procedures of choice. Most penile urethral strictures can be repaired in a one‐stage procedure either by dorsal inlay with ventral sagittal urethrotomy (Asopa technique) or dorsolateral onlay with one‐sided urethral dissection (Kulkarni technique); however, staged urethroplasty remains the procedure of choice for complex strictures, including strictures associated with genital lichen sclerosus or failed hypospadias. This article presents an overview of substitution urethroplasty using oral mucosa graft, and reviews current topics.     

尿道下裂手术15年回顾(附322例报告)

目的　探讨尿道下裂不同术式效果及特点。　方法　回顾 15年 32 2例尿道下裂手术资料 ,将术式分为原位皮瓣尿道成形、带蒂皮瓣尿道成形、游离组织尿道成形 ,观察手术效果。　结果　原位皮瓣尿道成形 :阴茎皮条埋藏尿道成形术 2 6例 ,成功 6 9.2 % ;阴茎皮管尿道成形术 33例 ,成功率 6 9.7%。带蒂皮瓣尿道成形 :带蒂阴囊皮瓣尿道成形术 146例 ,成功率 80 .8% ;横行带蒂包皮瓣尿道成形术 6 5例 ,成功率 81.5 %。游离组织尿道成形 :游离包皮瓣尿道成形术 9例 ,成功 7例 ;颊粘膜尿道成形术 1例 ,失败 ;膀胱粘膜尿道成形术 42例 ,成功率 88.1%。　结论　尿道下裂术式 ,各具优缺点 ,选取术式应综合多因素考虑。膀胱粘膜尿道成形术是目前成功率较高 ,合乎生理的术式     

Die Verwendung von Mundschleimhaut in der Harnröhrenchirurgie

Buccal mucosa grafts have proven reliable in urethral surgery. For augmentation urethroplasty, the graft can be used as a ventral or dorsal onlay. If the graft was used as an onlay, the results were much better than in substitution urethroplasty with the graft used as a tube. In patients with complex strictures or severe cases of hypospadias or epispadias, a two-stage technique using a buccal mucosa inlay graft can be applied. After 6 months, the well-revascularized buccal mucosa strip can be tubularized and covered with a tunica dartos or tunica vaginalis flap.In the future, for correction of larger defects, buccal mucosa cells can be cultured in vitro on biodegradable matrices. These larger buccal mucosa transplants could minimize the morbidity at the donor site. Future studies must clarify if the new technology of nanofibers can be of advantage by producing better matrices.     

Optimal management of the 3- to 6-centimeter anterior urethral stricture

The optimal management of anterior urethral stricture that does not respond to an endoscopic urethrotomy or is found to be unsuitable for excision and anastomotic repair remains controversial. Genital skin island onlay flaps or buccal mucosal grafts are presently the most dependable single stage procedures used for strictures more than 3 cm in length. Nonhirsute penile island fasciocutaneous flaps constitute the most durable substitution technique for pendulous stricture disease, with long-term studies reporting 90% to 96% success. The complex proximal bulb and bulbomenbraneous stricture with a compromised proximal fibrous avascular bed is ideally managed with either a penile or scrotal island flap or some combination of partial urethral excision with a dorsally placed genital skin island. The buccal mucosal onlay graft is a promising addition to this reconstructive paradigm, and early outcomes have been favorable. The graft is presently used for bulbar strictures, avoiding the transsphincteric on pendulous location, or a compromised recipient bed. The present standard of care for proximal bulb strictures is wide bulbospongiosal mobilization, partial urethral excision, a floor strip anastomosis, and placement of an augmenting flap on the graft in a dorsal location.     

Urethral plate salvage with dorsal graft promotes successful penile flap onlay reconstruction of severe pendulous strictures

PURPOSE: A modified 1-stage penile flap onlay reconstruction is presented for patients with a long stricture in whom the urethral plate is deficient or absent. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of 37 patients who underwent transverse penile island flap onlay urethroplasty 3 men and 1 boy required simultaneous augmentation (2) or replacement (2) of an inadequate urethral plate. The 15-year-old boy had persistent severe chordee after multiple hypospadias procedures. A dorsal buccal mucosal graft was used in 3 cases and cadaveric dermal graft was used in 1. The goal of dorsal graft application in each case was to create a uniform urethral plate 1 cm. wide to promote successful 1-stage penile flap onlay reconstruction. RESULTS: No patient has required further instrumentation and all void without difficulty. In the 15-year-old boy chordee has completely resolved. CONCLUSIONS: Using dorsal grafts to salvage an inadequate urethral plate during 1-stage penile island flap onlay reconstruction obviates flap tubularization.