Endoscopic re-establishment of membranous urethral disruption

A total of 17 patients with traumatic membranous urethral disruption underwent urethral reconstruction via a core-through technique. Followup was 1 to 8 years (mean 3.7 years) postoperatively, and included 6 weeks with an indwelling catheter, periodic dilation for 6 months and occasional sounding. Within 1 year postoperatively, 6 patients required additional scar incision, including 3 who underwent scar resection. At 1 to 8 years postoperatively 6 patients had complications: 3 had stricture requiring periodic dilation (including 2 who underwent scar incision), while 2 had mild stress incontinence and 1 had nocturnal enuresis. Traumatic impotence was noted in 7 patients but the operation was not the cause in any. This method of endoscopic management was found to be an acceptable alternative to urethroplasty in cases of membranous urethral disruption.     

Reconstruction of Membranous Urethral Strictures

Purpose of Review

Due to the proximity of the rhabdosphincter and cavernous nerves to the membranous urethra, reconstruction of membranous urethral stricture implies a risk of urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction. To avoid these complications, endoscopic management of membranous urethral strictures is traditionally favored, and bulboprostatic anastomosis is reserved as the main classical approach for open reconstruction of recalcitrant membranous urethral stricture. The preference for the anastomotic urethroplasty among reconstructive urologists is likely influenced by the familiarity and experience with trauma-related injuries. We review the literature focusing on the anatomy of membranous urethra and on the evolution of treatments for membranous urethral strictures.

Recent Findings

Non-traumatic strictures affecting bulbomembranous urethra are typically sequelae of instrumentation, transurethral resection of the prostate, prostate cancer treatment, and pelvic irradiation. Being a different entity from trauma-related injuries where urethra is not in continuity, a new understanding of membranous urethral anatomy is necessary for the development of novel reconstruction techniques. Although efficacious and durable to achieve urethral patency, classical bulboprostatic anastomosis carries a risk of de-novo incontinence and impotence. Newer and relatively less invasive reconstructive alternatives include bulbar vessel-sparing intra-sphincteric bulboprostatic anastomosis and buccal mucosa graft augmented membranous urethroplasty techniques. The accumulated experience with these techniques is relatively scarce, but several published series present promising results. These approaches are especially indicated in patients with previous transurethral resection of the prostate in which sparing of rhabdosphincter and the cavernous nerves is important in attempt to preserve continence and potency. Additionally, introduction of buccal mucosa onlay grafts could be especially beneficial in radiation-induced strictures to avoid transection of the sphincter in continent patients, and to preserve the blood supply to the urethra for incontinent patients who will require artificial urinary sphincter placement. The evidence regarding erectile functional outcomes is less solid and this item should be furtherly investigated.

     

Early endoscopic treatment of a complete traumatic rupture of the membranous urethra

A man presenting complete traumatic disruption of the membranous urethra, with a 1 cm gap between the proximal and distal urethra, underwent successful endoscopic reconstruction ten days after the injury. When the urethral catheter was removed after fifteen days, peak flow rate was 25 cc per second. One internal urethrotomy was necessary 8 months later. Twenty months after the injury, cystography and retrograde urethrography revealed satisfactory restoration of urethral continuity. We suggest that this treatment be considered in complete traumatic disruption without hematoma and with less than a 1 cm gap between the proximal and distal urethra.     

Staged pendulous-prostatic anastomotic urethroplasty followed by reconstruction of the anterior urethra: an effective treatment for long-segment bulbar and membranous urethral stricture

OBJECTIVES: To describe a novel surgical technique for male long-segment urethral stricture after pelvic trauma using the intact and pedicled pendulous urethra to replace the bulbar and membranous urethra, followed by reconstruction of the anterior urethra. METHODS: Two patients with long-segment post-traumatic bulbar and membranous urethral strictures with short left pendulous urethras who had undergone several failed previous surgeries were treated with staged pendulous-prostatic anastomotic urethroplasty followed by reconstruction of the anterior urethra. This procedure was divided into three stages. First-stage surgery was mobilization of the anterior urethra down to the coronary sulcus and then rerouted to the prostatic urethra followed by pendulous-prostatic anastomotic urethroplasty with transposition of the penis to the perineum. Second-stage surgery was transecting the anterior urethra at the revascularised coronary sulcus 6 mo later, followed by straightening of the penis and urethroperineostomy. Third-stage surgery was reconstruction of the anterior urethra 6 mo later. RESULTS: Postoperatively, the two patients reported satisfactory voiding. For patient 1, retrograde urethrography showed that the urethra was patent, and that the mean maximal flow rate (MFR) was 18.4 ml/s with no postvoiding residual urine after the third-stage surgery and at 3-yr follow-up. For patient 2, a 22F urethral catheter could pass smoothly through the urethra, and the MFR was 19.5 ml/s with no postvoiding residual urine at 2-yr follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: This procedure was an effective surgical option for men with complex long-segment post-traumatic bulbar and membranous urethral strictures, especially for those who had undergone failed previous surgical treatments.     

One-stage urethral reconstruction for stricture recurrence after urethral stent placement

PURPOSE: We report our 8-year experience with 1-stage open urethral reconstruction in 10 patients with recurrent bulbar and/or membranous strictures after UroLume urethral stent placement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten consecutive referral patients underwent preoperative contrast imaging and urethroscopy followed by primary anastomotic repair or substitution urethroplasty, with concomitant open UroLume removal (when the stent was still present). Postoperative evaluation included contrast imaging 3 weeks after surgery, urethroscopy 4 months after surgery, uroflowmetry, and American Urological Association symptom score assessment. RESULTS: At a medium followup of 51.2 months all patients remain free of bulbar or membranous stricture recurrence. No patient has required dilation or any other intervention. CONCLUSIONS: One-stage open reconstruction with stent extraction offers a definitive treatment option with a high success rate for patients with recurrent bulbar and/or membranous strictures following urethral stent placement.     

Pelvic fracture urethral injuries: the unresolved controversy

PURPOSE: The unresolved controversies about pelvic fracture urethral injuries and whether any conclusions can be reached to develop a treatment plan for this lesion are determined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All data on pelvic fracture urethral injuries in the English literature for the last 50 years were critically analyzed. Studies were eligible only if data were complete and conclusive. RESULTS: The risk of urethral injury is influenced by the number of broken pubic rami as well as involvement of the sacroiliac joint. Depending on the magnitude of trauma, the membranous urethra is first stretched and then partially or completely ruptured at the bulbomembranous junction. Injuries to the prostatic urethra and bladder neck occur only in children. Injury to the female urethra usually is a partial tear of the anterior wall and rarely complete disruption of the proximal or distal urethra. Diagnosis depends on urethrography in men and on a high index of suspicion and urethroscopy in women. Of the 3 conventional treatment methods primary suturing of the disrupted urethral ends has the greatest complication rates of incontinence and impotence (21 and 56%, respectively). Primary realignment has double the incidence of impotence and half that of stricture compared to suprapubic cystostomy and delayed repair (36 versus 19 and 53 versus 97%, respectively, p <0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In men surgical and endoscopic procedures do not compete but rather complement each other for treatment of different injuries under different circumstances, including indwelling catheter for urethral stretch injury, endoscopic stenting or suprapubic cystostomy for partial rupture, endoscopic realignment or suprapubic cystostomy for complete rupture with a minimal distraction defect and surgical realignment if the distraction defect is wide. Associated injury to the bladder, bladder neck or rectum dictates immediate exploration for repair but does not necessarily indicate exploration of the urethral injury site. In women treatment modalities are dictated by the level of urethral injury, including immediate retropubic realignment or suturing for proximal and transvaginal urethral advancement for distal injury.     

Urethral injury secondary to pelvic fracture: anatomical and functional classification

OBJECTIVE: To develop a new functional and anatomical classification of urethral injury secondary to pelvic fracture. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-six male patients (20 children, 36 adults) with urethral injuries secondary to pelvis fracture were evaluated. Clinical examination, retrograde urethrogram immediately after the accident, operative findings in the emergency state, subsequent combined retrograde urethrography and suprapubic cystography, operative findings during urethral reconstruction and postoperative follow-up were critically reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: A new classification of urethral injury secondary to pelvic fracture is proposed as a result of our findings: Type 1. Injury to the prostate; 1a. Proximal avulsion of the prostate; 1b. Incomplete or complete trans-prostatic rupture. Type 2. Stretching of the membranous urethra. Type 3. Incomplete or complete pure rupture of the prostatomembranous junction, supradiaphragmatic. Type 4. Incomplete or complete rupture of the bulbomembranous urethra, infradiaphragmatic. Type 5. Variable combined urethral injuries affecting more than one level of the urethra, prostatic and membranous or prostatomembranous and bulbomembranous, injury to proximal sphincteric mechanism combined with prostatic and/or membranous urethral injury. CONCLUSIONS: This anatomical and functional classification includes all types of urethral injuries secondary to pelvic fracture; moreover, it directs the attention towards evaluation of the urethral sphincteric mechanism, which is essential for the therapeutic and medicolegal aspects.     

Urethral disruption treated by echo guided endoscopic management: a case report

We report a case of 63-years-old man with a chief complaint of urinary retention and urethral meatal bleeding due to straddle injury. Urological examination revealed proximal bulbous urethral disruption with 1 cm gap, and then cystostomy was placed. Afterwards, urethral disruption was treated by echo guided endoscopic urethroplasty. Transurethral resection of scar tissue was performed twice for postoperative urethral stricture. Postoperative voiding cystourethrography revealed no urethral stricture. The patient voids well without urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction. Recently, endoscopic urethroplasty, which is easy, minimally invasive, and repeatable in comparison with open urethral reconstruction, has been frequently performed for urethral disruption as endoscopic instruments functionally develop. Echo guided image in the present case is so useful that proximal and distal end of urethral disruption can be shown in same plane, indicating that primary urethral tract can be reconstructed without injury of rectum and urethra.     

前尿道代后尿道成形术治疗男性复杂性后尿道狭窄

目的探讨长段复杂性后尿道狭窄治疗新方法。方法采用分期前尿道代后尿道成形术治疗3例复杂性后尿道长段狭窄（6．5—10．0cm）患者。第一期行阴茎转位尿道端端吻合术，术后3—6个月行二期阴茎伸直、尿道会阴造口术，6个月后行第三期前尿道成形术（Johanson Ⅱ期尿道成形术）。结果例1术后排尿通畅，膀胱尿道造影检查示尿道通畅，双侧输尿管返流近消失，最大尿流率18．8ml／s，随访2年，最大尿流率18ml／s，无剩余尿。例2术后排尿通畅，最大尿流率19．5ml／s，无剩余尿，尿道扩张可顺利通过22F尿道探子。例3经会阴一耻骨联合径路行第一期阴茎转位尿道端端吻合术、尿道直肠瘘、尿道会阴瘘切除、修补术，术后尿道直肠瘘及尿道会阴瘘治愈，但因耻骨联合切口感染致吻合口狭窄，有待进一步治疗。结论分期前尿道代后尿道加前尿道重建方法是治疗男性长段复杂性尿道狭窄的有效方法。     

New frontiers in urethral reconstruction: injectables and alternative grafts

Contemporary management of anterior urethral strictures requires both endoscopic as well as complex substitution urethroplasty, depending on the nature of the urethral stricture. Recent clinical and experimental studies have explored the possibility of augmenting traditional endoscopic urethral stricture management with anti-fibrotic injectable medications. Additionally, although buccal mucosa remains the gold standard graft for substitution urethroplasty, alternative grafts are necessary for reconstructing particularly complex urethral strictures in which there is insufficient buccal mucosa or in cases where it may be contraindicated. This review summarizes the data of the most promising injectable adjuncts to endoscopic stricture management and explores the alternative grafts available for reconstructing the most challenging urethral strictures. Further research is needed to define which injectable medications and alternative grafts may be best suited for urethral reconstruction in the future.     

192例男性创伤性尿道狭窄的腔内治疗

作者采用腔内手术治疗创伤性尿道狭窄，观察其疗效。方法：本组１９２例创伤性尿道狭窄，其中前尿道狭窄４７例，后尿道狭窄１４５例。采用窥视下液电效应、冷切、微波、电切等方法治疗。对长段后尿道闭锁，采用经膀胱后尿道置入探条及肛指引导，液电效应或微波闭锁瘢痕中央打孔会师。结果：９４例一次手术即获得成功，３４例术后行尿道扩张术３～６次，５０例再次行腔内手术１～３次，随访３～６０个月（平均２９．３月），有效率达９７．４％。作者认为腔内手术治疗创伤性尿道狭窄创伤小、并发症少，成功率较高，效果良好。     

Posterior urethroplasty with tubularized bladder mucosal graft

Surgical management of long strictures of the posterior urethra is difficult and there is no concrete method that guarantees excellent results. The use of bladder mucosa has become established in the 1980s as treatment for anterior urethral reconstruction in hypospadias repair. We report 2 difficult cases (multioperations) of membranous urethral strictures treated with free tubularized bladder mucosal grafts with good initial results.     

Current indications and technique of two-stage repair for membranous urethral strictures

At present, the indications for two-stage repair for membranous urethral strictures are limited. However, there are situations where two-stage reconstruction is the procedure of choice. It certainly should be considered in those patients who present with marked scarring in the perineum from previous attempts at urethral reconstruction or from the initial trauma, such as might be encountered following perineal burns or gunshot wounds. It is also successful in those patients in whom the anterior urethra has previously been damaged and cannot be mobilized or is not healthy enough to permit a tension-free end-to-end anastomosis and in patients who have perineal abscesses, infected fistulae, or infected urethral diverticula with or without calculi. The technique selected in these complicated cases must ensure adequate drainage of infected material as well as provide an excellent blood supply for the graft.     

Ejaculatory profiles and fertility in men after posterior urethroplasty for pelvic fracture-urethral distraction defect injuries

OBJECTIVE

In men who sustain a pelvic fracture‐urethral distraction defect (PFUDD) injury, repairing the urethra involves a complicated urethral anastomosis located posteriorly at the junction of the membranous and prostatic urethra. In this study we performed a post‐ operative semen analysis and questionnaire study to determine the effect of PFUDD injuries and PFUDD repair on ejaculatory function and fertility in these men.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

With institutional review board approval, patients who had PFUDD repairs by one surgeon from 1990 to 2004 were identified from a database. Patients were contacted and given a questionnaire eliciting details about their ejaculatory function and history of fertility. Those interested in future paternity were asked to provide semen for analysis.

RESULTS

In all, 32 men were contacted; all claimed to have antegrade ejaculation, although five reported having a lower ejaculatory volume than before their injury, and one claimed that his ejaculate was delayed. We assessed fertility in 19 men, six of whom had either infertility or abnormal semen analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

All men in the present series who had PFUDD injuries repaired had antegrade ejaculation. Although six of 19 had either infertility or an abnormal semen analysis, it appears that the risk of damage to the ejaculatory ducts from either a PFUDD or the subsequent urethral reconstruction is low. However, other associated injuries at the time of the pelvic fracture might place these men at greater risk of infertility.     

A New Biaxial Epilated Scrotal Flap for Reconstructive Urethral Surgery

Purpose

We describe a new type of perineum based scrotal flap with biaxial vascularization supplied by both superficial perineal arteries. Flap length of up to 20 cm. may be attained for urethral reconstruction.

Materials and Methods

A total of 37 men with complex urethral stenosis of different etiologies underwent surgery using 1 of 3 urethroplasty techniques based on this new flap. The whole anterior urethra, including pendulous and bulbar segments, was reconstructed with a scrotal patch in 10 patients. A scrotal tubular flap was used as a substitute for the bulbar urethra in 7 patients and for the membranous portion in 4. Bulbar urethroplasty with a scrotal island patch was performed in 16 patients.

Results

Of the patients 86% achieved normal voiding after 1-stage urethroplasty. Mean followup was 39.5 months.

Conclusions

The excellent axial vascularization of this new flap permits successful resolution of the most complex urethral stenoses regardless of extension, location and etiology.     

UroLume stents: lessons learned

PURPOSE: The UroLume (American Medical Systems, Minnetonka, Minnesota) endoprosthesis has been commercially available since 1990 and has been advocated for use in men with urethral stricture disease and detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia due to spinal cord injury. Despite reports of its success and ease of removal, we have noted management problems in several complex cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the outcome of 10 men who required several additional procedures or experienced complications following UroLume placement. RESULTS: Of the patients 4 had detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia and 6 had urethral stricture disease. All patients with detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia required hospitalization for management of urosepsis within 4 to 10 months of stent placement, and all 4 experienced stent migration requiring placement of a tandem stent (3), bladder neck resection (3) or sphincterotomy (1). Two men were in retention following placement of a second stent and required stent explantation. Of the other 6 men 2 had bulbar and 3 had membranous urethral disease, and 1 had a severe bladder neck contracture following radical retropubic prostatectomy. Strictures recurred within the stent lumen in all 6 men and/or adjacent to it in 3. At least 1 repeat procedure was required in all 6 men (within 6 months in 5), and 1 experienced significant bleeding during open explantation which required perineal urethrostomy. CONCLUSIONS: In our referral experience stent migration and recurrent stenosis were noted following UroLume insertion. Placement of a tandem stent was associated with urethral obstruction. In many cases these adverse outcomes may be secondary to improper patient selection. Therefore, judicious use of the UroLume stent and proper case selection are essential since stent removal is not always straightforward.     

INEFFICIENT URETHRAL MILKING SECONDARY TO URETHRAL DYSFUNCTION AS AN ADDITIONAL RISK FACTOR FOR INCONTINENCE AFTER RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY

PURPOSE: Continence after radical prostatectomy is thought to depend completely on the striated urethral sphincter. However, some patients complain only of occasional post-void dribbling. Therefore, we determined whether urethral dysfunction may be another cause of incontinence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sensory threshold of electric stimulation was measured by double ring electrodes in the membranous urethra and 2.5 cm. distal in 29 men before and in 29 after radical retropubic prostatectomy. In addition, voiding cystourethrography was performed in 66 patients before and in 49 after surgery to determine complete post-void urethral emptying or milking. RESULTS: The mean sensory threshold of the membranous urethra was 15 +/- 3 mA. preoperatively versus 38 +/- 17 postoperatively (p <0.0001). The sensory threshold 2.5 cm. further distal was 12 +/- 5 mA. before and 10 +/- 4 after radical prostatectomy, which was not statistically significant. Postoperatively in completely continent patients and in those with dribbling the mean threshold was 32 +/- 12 and 43 +/- 18 mA. in the membranous urethra (p = 0.09), and 11 +/- 4 and 9 +/- 4 mA. in the bulbar urethra, respectively, which was not statistically significant. Of the 66 patients 36 (55%) showed post-void urethral milking before surgery but only 8 of 49 (16%) showed it postoperatively (chi-square test p <0.0001), including 7 who were completely continent and 1 who complained of occasional post-void dribbling. CONCLUSIONS: After radical prostatectomy sensitivity of the membranous but not of the bulbar urethra is affected, correlating with postoperative continence. In addition, post-void dribbling seems to be associated with the loss of urethral milking. We conclude that preserving urethral function is another important continence factor after radical prostatectomy.     

Endoscopic treatment of complete urethral obstruction using thin trocar

We used an endoscopic thin trocar to reestablish the continuity of the completely obliterated urethra in 2 patients. In 1 man the obstruction resulted from a pelvic fracture and in 1 woman from early removal of the urethral catheter after a bladder neck reconstruction. We found this technique safe and effective, and we consider it to represent an improvement over previously described methods of endoscopic treatment of the obliterated urethra.     

Urethral complications following ischiectomy in spinal cord injury patients: a urethral pressure study

Ischial ulcers are the most common pressure sores in spinal cord injury patients and ischiectomy often is used in the over-all management. Because a high percentage of spinal cord injury patients with total ischiectomy had complications of the membranous and proximal bulbous urethra, we evaluated urodynamically 15 ischiectomy patients in the supine and sitting positions to determine if pressure usually borne by the ischial tuberosities was transmitted to the membranous and proximal bulbous urethra. Of the 8 patients with a complete ischiectomy at least on 1 side 5 had problems of the membranous and proximal bulbous urethra, and the average urethral pressure increase from the reclining to the sitting position was 111 cm. water. The increase in urethral pressure was not related to any change in bladder or abdominal pressure. The average urethral pressure increase in the nonischiectomy patients was only 16 cm. water and none had any problems of the membranous and proximal bulbous urethra. Some retrospective clinical studies have implicated ischiectomy in the development of these urethral complications. Our urodynamic data lend some direct evidence that a more complete ischiectomy results in excessive urethral pressure with the patient in the sitting position, thereby predisposing the membranous and proximal bulbous urethra to problems related to ischemia. Five of the 8 patients with more complete ischiectomy and 1 with bilateral partial ischiectomy had high urethral pressures and complications, such as pseudodiverticulum, diverticulum and dilatation. More incomplete ischiectomy should be used to obviate this urethral damage.     

Topographical relationship between urethral rhabdosphincter and rectourethralis muscle: A better understanding of the apical dissection and the posterior stitches in radical prostatectomy

Objectives:   To clarify the topographical relationship between the urethral rhabdosphincter and the rectourethralis muscle as these structures lying dorsally to membranous urethra are important factors to post-prostatectomy urinary continence.
Methods:   Pelvic floor specimens including prostate, bulbus penis, and anorectum, obtained from 15 male cadavers (ages at death 66 to 80 years), were examined with standard histologic and immunohistochemical techniques using semiserial sagittal and transverse sections.
Results:   The rectourethralis muscle was defined. It was found to be located at the interface between the levator ani muscle and rectum. It was not possible to histologically identify the fibromuscular node known as the perineal body. The urethral rhabdosphincter was found to be inserted into the rectourethralis muscle, which is composed of the smooth muscle fibers. Abundant nerves passed between the rectourethralis muscle and the levator ani, or through the rectourethralis muscle. The urethral rhabdosphincter was closely attached to the apical or ventral portion of the rectourethralis muscle. Morphologically, the membranous urethra was fixed to the rectourethralis muscle through the urethral rhabdosphincter.
Conclusions:   The rectourethralis muscle influences the stabilization of membranous urethra. The posterior stitches for the reconstruction of the dorsal musculofascial plate might injure the nerve fibers running along and through the rectourethralis muscle.