输尿管镜辅助下双极等离子体电切治疗尿道狭窄的疗效观察

目的评价输尿管镜辅助下双极等离子体电切治疗尿道狭窄的疗效和安全性。方法 2004年1月至2008年12月,运用27 F GYRUS双极等离子体电切镜在8~9.8 F WOLF输尿管镜辅助下治疗41例男性尿道狭窄患者,年龄18～69岁,平均28岁。其中外伤性尿道狭窄27例,炎症性狭窄3例,前列腺术后狭窄8例,成人尿道下裂术后狭窄3例。所有患者经尿道造影及尿流率检查。狭窄段长度0.3～3.0 cm,平均1.23 cm。其中狭窄段内径>3 F者28例(A组);狭窄段内径<3 F,且部分病例为尿道闭锁、假道者13例(B组)。术后随访12～18个月。结果全组手术成功率78%(32/41),其中A组28例中23例(前尿道11例,后尿道10例,球膜连接部2例)手术1次成功,成功率82.1%(23/28);出现并发症5例(再狭窄3例,并发尿道穿孔、尿外渗各1例),并发症发生率17.9%(5/28);尿道穿孔、尿外渗2例患者经留置导尿管后自行愈合,3例再狭窄患者行开放性手术。B组13例中成功9例(前尿道3例,后尿道5例,球膜部1例),成功率69.2%(9/13);失败4例(1例因狭窄超过3.0 cm术后再发狭窄,1例合并假道,2例因尿道连续性完全破坏),并发症发生率30.8%(4/13),失败原因均为术中无法标记真道。B组4例内镜失败患者同样行开放性手术治疗。结论双极等离子体电切可以有效去除尿道瘢痕组织,在输尿管镜辅助下提高了治愈成功率,适宜于可以标引真道、且狭窄段长度不超过2.0 cm者,效果较好,为内镜治疗尿道狭窄的选项之一。     

双窥镜法联合钬激光内切开术治疗严重尿道狭窄疗效观察

目的观察双窥镜法联合钬激光内切开术治疗严重尿道狭窄的初期疗效。方法2005年5月至2009年4月,应用双窥镜法联合钬激光内切开术治疗8例尿道狭窄或尿道闭锁,狭窄段长度0.8-2.5cm。结果8例患者均尝试逆行内切开术均无法通过狭窄段,应用双窥镜法联合钬激光内切开术治疗均获成功,术后留置尿管4-6周,拔管后均排尿通畅,无尿失禁。8例患者中7例获随访6.24个月（平均18个月）,其中2例患者无需任何后续治疗,3例需行6-16次尿道扩张（平均11次）以维持正常排尿;2例术后3及4个月再次因尿道狭窄行开放手术治疗。结论双窥镜法联合钬激光内切开术治疗尿道狭窄提高了一期腔内手术的成功率,可作为严重尿道狭窄、尿道闭锁患者的可选微创治疗术式。该术式早期疗效良好,但远期效果不尽满意尚待长期观察。     

窥镜直视下尿道内切开术加电切术治疗尿道狭窄

目的：探讨尿道狭窄的有效治疗方法。方法：对1991—2000年收治的128例尿道狭窄患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析，并比较窥镜直视下尿道内切开术和直视下尿道内切开术加电切术的疗效。结果：作单纯直视下尿道内切开术56例，治愈29例(51．9％)。作窥镜直视下尿道内切开术加电切术72例，治愈63例(87．5％)。结论：窥镜直视下尿道内切开术加电切术的方法可明显提高尿道狭窄的疗效，减少其复发率。     

Internal Urethrotomy Versus Dilation as Treatment for Male Urethral Strictures: A Prospective, Randomized Comparison

Purpose

We compared the efficacy of dilation versus internal urethrotomy as initial outpatient treatment for male urethral stricture disease.

Materials and Methods

A total of 210 men with proved urethral strictures was randomized to undergo filiform dilation (106) or optical internal urethrotomy (104) with local anesthesia on an outpatient basis.

Results

Life table survival analysis showed no significant difference between the 2 treatments with regard to stricture recurrence. Hazard function analysis showed that the risk of stricture recurrence was greatest at 6 months, whereas the risk of failure after 12 months was slight. The recurrence rate at 12 months was approximately 40% for strictures shorter than 2 cm. and 80% for those longer than 4 cm., whereas the recurrence rate for strictures 2 to 4 cm. long increased from approximately 50% at 12 months to approximately 75% at 48 months. Cox regression analysis showed that for each 1 cm. increase in length of the stricture the risk of recurrence was increased by 1.22 (95% confidence interval 1.05 to 1.43).

Conclusions

There is no significant difference in efficacy between dilation and internal urethrotomy as initial treatment for strictures. Both methods become less effective with increasing stricture length. We recommend dilation or internal urethrotomy for strictures shorter than 2 cm., primary urethroplasty for those longer than 4 cm. and a trial of dilation or urethrotomy for those 2 to 4 cm. long.     

Long-term outcome of visual internal urethrotomy for the management of pediatric urethral strictures

PURPOSE: We evaluated the long-term results of visual internal urethrotomy for pediatric urethral strictures to evaluate the efficacy and final outcome of this procedure in children and to evaluate the risk factors for stricture recurrence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The computerized surgical records of our hospital were reviewed to identify children who underwent visual internal urethrotomy between 1980 and 2001. Hospital and followup clinical charts were then reviewed. Many variables were analyzed, including age, etiology, length and site of the strictures, and catheter duration. Only patients with a minimum followup of 2 years were included. Regular self-catheterization was not used by any child. RESULTS: A total of 31 patients (mean age 11.2 years, range 2 to 18) were identified. Followup ranged from 2 to 20 years, with a mean of 6.6 years. The most common etiology for stricture formation was failed previous urethroplasty and post instrumentation (35.5% and 32.3%, respectively). The success rate after initial urethrotomy was 35.5% (11 of 31 patients). Mean interval to first recurrence was 26 months. A second urethrotomy improved the success rate of 58.1%. Eight patients required 2 or more urethrotomies, of whom half required open urethroplasty. Among the evaluated variables only stricture length shorter than 1 cm was associated with good results. CONCLUSIONS: Visual internal urethrotomy provides a safe first line therapeutic option for pediatric urethral strictures shorter than 1 cm, independent of etiology and location. For patients with more than 1 recurrence or with strictures longer than 1 cm, who are at high risk for recurrence after internal urethrotomy, open urethroplasty remains the treatment of choice.     

后尿道狭窄外科治疗191例临床分析

目的探讨后尿道手术方法的选择及疗效。方法回顾分析1990年1月-2006年1月本院收治的191例后尿道狭窄或闭锁患者的临床资料。术前191例均行尿道造影,62例行尿道超声检查,48例行尿道镜检查,4例行尿道磁共振成像（MRI）检查。26例患者行尿道内切开;165例患者行开放性手术,其中单纯经会阴尿道吻合术66例,经会阴切开阴茎中隔48例,经会阴切除耻骨下缘30例,经耻骨尿道吻合术18例,尿道拖入术3例。术后随访6～48个月,平均26．6个月。结果后尿道狭窄或闭锁长度为1．5～8．0cm,平均3．6cm。后尿道狭窄（尿道连续性尚存）31例（16％）;后尿道完全闭锁160例（84％）,其中闭锁段〈3cm者102例（53．4％）,闭锁段〉3cm者58例（30．6％）。手术总体成功率（最大尿流率〉15ml／s）为84．3％（161／191）,其中尿道内切开为69％（18／26）,开放性手术为86．6％（143／165）。单纯经会阴尿道吻合术、经会阴切开阴茎中隔、经会阴切除耻骨下缘、经耻骨尿道吻合术及尿道拖入术的成功率分别为97％（64／66）、79％（38／48）、80％（24／30）、83％（15／18）和67％（2／3）。后尿道狭窄（尿道连续性尚存）的成功率为94％（29／31）;闭锁段〈3cm的患者为90％（92／102）;闭锁段〉3cm患者为69％（40／58）。结论开放性手术疗效优于尿道内切开,后尿道狭窄或闭锁段〈3cm患者疗效较好。     

Treatment of inflammatory urethral stenosis with endoscopic urethrotomy

Urethral stricture, mainly consisting of cases of inflammatory stricture, is a frequent occurrence in Morocco. Numerous techniques have been proposed to treat these disorders, including internal endoscopic urethrotomy (IEU). Initially described by Otis and Maisonneuve using a blind approach, IEU was then further developed by Saches who carried out direct vision urethrotomy. It rapidly became established as the method of choice for primary treatment of urethral stricture, and classical surgery was limited to those cases in which this method had failed. However, although this technique is relatively simple and appears to be efficient, there is in fact a high relapse rate, necessitating repeated IEU; therefore at present there is a tendency to return to the classical methods of anastomotic resection and urethroplasty after the second or third IEU. Although the relapse rate is low for short, single or bulbar strictures, it is high for penile strictures and for those with accompanying severe periurethral fibrosis. In this study, we have reported the results of a homogeneous series of 149 cases of urethral stricture treated by internal urethrotomy. The aim of this retrospective study was to better define the indications for adopting this technique, and also to determine the reasons for failure. The various alternatives to IEU (resection, plasty) have been examined, as has their respective failure rate.     

Traitement des sténoses de l’urètre par urétrotomie interne endoscopique: résultats anatomiques et fonctionnels d’une série de 244 cas

Objective

To evaluate the results of a homogeneous series of urethral strictures treated exclusively by endoscopic internal urethrotomy and to determine the factors that may predict the outcome.

Patients and Methods

Between 1989 and 2007, 244 patients were treated for urethral stricture. All of them were subjected to endoscopic direct vision internal urethrotomy (DVIU).

Results

34.3% of good results were achieved after the first DVIU. Mean follow-up was 3.5 years. No mortality was encountered, while the rate of morbidity was 5%. Better results were achieved in patients with short (< 2 cm) and single strictures in the proximal urethra. Mean post-operative catheterization was 2 days; a further extension of the catheterization time did not yield any significant improvement. Unsatisfactory results (65.5%) were found in patients with large urethral strictures located in the distal urethra or in elderly patients. 62.5% of the patients showed a satisfactory outcome after a second urethrotomy, while the other patients required urethral dilatation or urethroplasty.

Conclusion

DVIU is a simple procedure which does not have a high rate of morbidity and requires short hospitalization. With a steady success rate of around 75.4% after a follow-up of 3.5 years we feel that DVIU can be recommended as treatment of choice for all short, single and proximal urethral strictures, preferably in young patients without previous interventions on the urethra     

Endoluminale Brachytherapie zur Vorbeugung von rezidivierenden Strikturen nach Urethrotomia interna

METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between November 2000 and December 2002 endoscopic incision or transurethral scar resection was followed by endourethral brachytherapy (BT) which was performed in patients with recurrent bulbar strictures ( n=9), bladder neck stenosis after transurethral prostatectomy (TUR-P) ( n=3), anastomotic stricture after radical prostatectomy ( n=2) or penile urethral stricture ( n=1). High dose rate (HDR) iridium-192 BT started on the day of the endoscopic incision or resection and continued for the following 3 days. The BT fractionation scheme was 4x3 Gy in the first three patients (until first relapse) and 4x4 Gy in all following patients. The dose was calculated at 3 mm tissue depth using 3-dimensional CT-planning. As of February 2004, the median follow-up of all patients reached 22 months. RESULTS: Seven of 15 patients (46%) are recurrence free. In two patients (13.3%), recurrent strictures developed 12 month later, outside of the region of initial treatment. In six patients (40%) the treatment was considered to be unsuccessful as recurrent strictures were found between 2 and 12 months after the initial or second course of treatment. CONCLUSION: Endourethral brachytherapy after endoscopic incision or resection is a promising treatment for the prevention of recurrent strictures of the urethra, bladder neck or vesicourethral anastomosis. The initial results have been very good, but with longer follow-up recurrence occurred in the irradiated area in 40% of patients. Prospective randomized studies in patients with a strictly defined type of recurrent stricture, or even after the first internal urethrotomy, should be done in the future.     

Optical studies and aids in the treatment of posttraumatic urethral strictures

The paper presents the results of treatment of 172 patients of whom 50 had anterior urethral strictures and 122 posterior ones. In 167 of 172 patients urethral resection was performed irrespective of the site of constriction. The urethral patency was restored in 162 (97%) patients, whereas the operation was ineffective in 5 (3%). A relapse of stricture occurred in 16 (10%) of 162 patients in different periods following the operation, good results were obtained with repeated operations in 10 (6.2%). Sexual potency was observed in 30 (18.5%) patients. In patients with short strictures, optical urethrotomy by excising the scar tissue by a loop with a Storz resectoscope. The operation was ended with bladder drainage with a Foley No. 14 or No. 16 catheter for 1 to 2 weeks. All the operated patients showed good results within 4 to 12 months. No decreased sexual potency was seen in anybody. In addition, hydrocortisone solution was instilled around the scars in the area of anastomosis by using a urethroscope in 6 patients after urethral resection, but in one patient granulations were excised, which promoted improvement of therapy outcomes. In the authors' opinion, it is expedient to use irrigation urethroscopy as the choice of method for treating posttraumatic urethral strictures. Urethral resection is considered to be the basic therapy method. Optical urethrotomy is more preferable in strictures less than 1 cm in length. Following the resection urethroscopy is regarded to be indicated, which makes it possible to correct the outcomes of the basic operation.     

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.     

Intraurethral brachytherapy for prevention of recurrent urethral stricture after internal urethrotomy or transurethral resection of scar.

BACKGROUND PURPOSE: Restricture after internal urethrotomy is the major limitation to the long-term success of the procedure. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of intraurethral brachytherapy after internal urethrotomy or transurethral scar resection on recurrent urethral stricture. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 1998 to June 1999, catheter-based intraurethral brachytherapy with 192-iridium was performed in 17 patients with recurrent urethral stricture to prevent restricture after internal urethrotomy or transurethral resection of scar. The radiation was repeated within 3 days after surgery to reach a total dosage of 1000 to 1500 cGy. RESULTS: During the follow-up (range 14-27 months; mean 20 months), two patients had dysuria, including one patient with an atonic detrusor muscle. The other patient needed self-dilation. Fifteen patients presented normal voiding. The stricture recurred 3 months later in only one patient, so the restricture rate is 7%. No significant complication was observed associated with brachytherapy during the follow-up. CONCLUSION: Intraurethral brachytherapy after internal urethrotomy or transurethral resection of scar is a safe and effective treatment for recurrent urethral strictures.     

Recurrence of urethral stricture and late results after optical urethrotomy: comparison of strictures caused by toxic latex catheters and other causes.

During the years 1977-1985, 183 new urethral strictures were diagnosed and treated by optical urethrotomy. A sharp increase in the incidence of iatrogenic strictures was found in 1980-1981 which normalized after simultaneous changing of the resectoscope, lubricant and catheter type. In fact, an "epidemic" of urethral strictures associated with the use of indwelling latex catheters in cardiac operations was observed in Finland in those years. It is suggested that toxic latex catheters exacerbated the local mechanical injury caused by endoscopic surgery. The recurrence rate for our "epidemic" strictures was 54%, whereas in other cases it was 37% (p = 0.02), but there were no differences in the later course. The patients age, stricture site, postoperative period of catheter-drainage, length, diameter or multiplicity had no effect on the recurrence rate after the initial urethrotomy. Stricture recurrences occurred up to 8 years after the initial operation. Because of the chronic nature of the urethral stricture, a follow-up time of at least 10 years is needed before the final results of urethrotomy can be evaluated.     

经尿道钬激光治疗男性尿道狭窄

目的:探讨经尿道钬激光治疗男性尿道狭窄的方法、安全性和疗效。方法:对38例男性尿道狭窄患者行经尿道狭窄段疤痕钬激光切除(功率10~45W),狭窄段长度:<1.0cm者18例,1.0~1.5cm者9例,>1.5cm者7例,完全闭锁者4例,并发膀胱结石者6例。平均最大尿流率为(5.6±2.3)ml/s。结果:36例手术成功,无大出血、尿外渗、直肠损伤等并发症发生,术后平均最大尿流率为(17.5±3.4)ml/s,2例中转开放手术,32例获随访3~18个月,其中4例行定期尿道扩张,2例以钬激光行二次手术后治愈。结论:经尿道钬激光治疗男性尿道狭窄安全、有效、创伤小、可重复治疗。     

输尿管镜下杆状电极腔内治疗尿道狭窄

目的 探讨输尿管镜下杆状电极腔内治疗尿道狭窄的方法，提高手术技巧。方法 联合应用输尿管镜、自制杆状电极、等离子杆状电极等经尿道治疗56例男性尿道狭窄。患者年龄3～91岁，平均51岁。其中尿道下裂术后狭窄5例，外伤致狭窄7例，长期留置尿管致炎性尿道狭窄3例，金属尿道探子尿道扩张形成假道致狭窄9例，前列腺癌根治术后狭窄5例，前列腺摘除术后狭窄8例，前列腺电切术后狭窄19例。狭窄长度0．3～6．0cm，平均2．1cm。结果 55例(98．2％)手术成功，48例1次手术成功，7例2—3次腔内手术获成功，其中尿道下裂术后者2例，复杂性尿道狭窄者5例；1例反复内切开仍存在严重尿道瘢痕者改开放手术。结论联合应用输尿管镜、自制杆状电极、等离子杆状电极等腔内治疗尿道狭窄疗效满意。     

经尿道前列腺电切术后尿道狭窄的原因分析

目的 分析并探讨经尿道前列腺电切术(TURP)术后尿道狭窄的原因,避免其发生.方法 回顾性分析我院1999年1月至2010年1月收治的23例前列腺电切术后尿道狭窄患者,年龄57~78岁,平均67.8岁;狭窄段尿道长度为1.6~3.5cm(平均2.3cm);最大尿流率为4～14ml/s,平均75ml/s;术后出现狭窄的时间为1个月~17年,平均25个月.其中前尿道狭窄6例,后尿道狭窄15例,膀胱颈口处狭窄2例.对于明确的尿道狭窄患者,针对不同情况分别给予尿道扩张、尿道内冷刀切开、残留前列腺组织切除或瘢痕切除处理.结果 随访3个月~6个月,23例患者中6例前尿道狭窄经定期尿道扩张后症状消失,疗效满意.后尿道狭窄的15例患者,2例采用定期尿道扩张的方法治愈,3例行残留腺体切除后症状逐渐缓解,另外1例因后尿道瘢痕较多,于尿道内行冷刀切开后复发,其余后尿道狭窄患者疗效满意.膀胱颈口处狭窄的2例患者,行膀胱颈口冷刀切开及瘢痕切除后治愈.术后23例患者最大尿流率19~29 ml/s,平均24.4 ml/s.结论 尿道狭窄是TULIP术后常见的并发症,其发生与尿路感染、操作损伤、术后留置尿管过粗、置管时间过长、腺体残留等因素密切相关.     

Gray scale and color Doppler sonography with extended field of view technique for the diagnostic evaluation of anterior urethral strictures

PURPOSE: We compared the clinical relevance of radio urethrography with that of sonourethrography for evaluating male urethral strictures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2002 to 2004, 93 men were referred to our institution for urethral strictures. Patients were evaluated by conventional voiding cystourethrography, retrograde urethrography, and gray scale and color Doppler sonourethrography. For sonourethrography the extended field of view technique was used to obtain 1 image of the whole anterior urethra. In all cases the urethra was evaluated cystoscopically or at open surgery. Radio urethrography and sonourethrography findings were compared with cystoscopy or surgery findings. RESULTS: All strictures were evaluated and treated cystoscopically with visual internal urethrotomy (34%) or at open operation (66%), which allowed comparison of the ability of each study to predict operative stricture length. Sonourethrography correctly identified the stricture and its site in all cases, whereas radio urethrography yielded 2 false-negative results. There was a significant difference between stricture length measured by radio urethrography compared to that measured by sonourethrography (correlation coefficient 0.72 vs 0.92, p<0.005). Mean+/-SD stricture length measured by radio urethrography was 1.5+/-1.3 cm and by sonourethrography it was 2.1+/-0.9 cm. Comparison of radio urethrography and sonourethrography stricture length with operative lengths demonstrated a good correlation in the penile urethra (correlation coefficient 0.91 vs 0.98), whereas a poor correlation was found in the bulbar urethra (correlation coefficient 0.65 vs 0.92). CONCLUSIONS: Gray scale and color Doppler sonourethrography using the extended field of view technique with a Siemens Sonoline Elegra is a promising tool for defining male urethral strictures. It seems to be superior to radio urethrography for treatment planning.     

Treatment of Urethral Stricture Disease by Internal Urethrotomy,Dilation, or Stenting

Management of urethral strictures depends on the characteristics of each individual case and remains a great challenge in reconstructive urology. Treatment of anterior urethral strictures usually starts with minimally invasive procedures, such as urethral dilatation or internal urethrotomy. The popularity of these methods is based on the simple application, the low complication rate, and the fact that most general urologists do not perform open urethroplasty. These methods offer faster recovery, minimal scarring, and fewer infections, although recurrence is always possible. Success depends on adequate vascularity within the underlying spongiosal tissue, which may substantially increase the failure rate. Because the recurrence rate has remained higher than it was in past decades, various modifications of urethral stricture treatment have been suggested, including laser urethrotomy and urethral stents. Since the late 1980s, two different approaches have been studied to prevent scaring contraction: permanent stent versus temporary stents left indwelling for a limited time and then removed. Although the first reports seemed to promise excellent outcomes, longer follow-up began to cast doubt on the usefulness of urethral stenting as a primary treatment modality for urethral stricture disease. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the published literature with respect to any new information on minimally invasive procedures in the treatment of urethral strictures.Patient summaryThe optimal indications for dilatation or internal urethrotomy are simple bulbar strictures <2 cm without spongiofibrosis or history of previous treatment. Recurrent urethral strictures after repeated interventions are usually more complex and can render the definite open urethral surgery more difficult.     

尿道狭窄的腔内治疗（附56例报告）

目的：探讨尿道狭窄的腔内治疗效果。方法：对56例男性尿道狭窄患者联合采用尿道内冷刀及电切镜等腔内技术行尿道内切开术;对并发BPH、输尿管结石或膀胱肿瘤患者一并以电切镜或输尿管镜进行前列腺电切、气压弹道碎石或膀胱肿瘤电切术治疗。结果：本组56例尿道狭窄患者手术均一次成功,拔管后均排尿通畅,仅1例术后因出血而再次住院治疗;无明显尿失禁、尿瘘等并发症。术后根据狭窄段长度定期行尿道扩张。结论：采用经尿道腔内切开术、瘢痕电切术治疗尿道狭窄具有创伤小、并发症少等优点,避免了开放手术痛苦。为降低狭窄复发率,彻底切除瘢痕是必要的;为弥补瘢痕切除不彻底,狭窄段较长患者术后定期行尿道扩张也是必需的。同时,对于尿道狭窄合并BPH、输尿管结石或膀胱肿瘤的患者,在尿道狭窄处理后也可一并处理。     

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.