Ultrastructure of the tunica albuginea in congenital penile curvature

PURPOSE: We investigated the ultrastructure of the tunica albuginea in individuals with congenital penile curvature to explain the pathology of this disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Included in our study were 15 patients 17 to 24 years old with congenital penile curvature. Study material consisted of samples of the tunica albuginea excised from the greater curvature of the corpus cavernosum during surgical correction. Control samples were obtained from the lesser curvature on the side opposite the study material during the same operation. The 2 types of tissue were analyzed using transmitter electron microscopy. RESULTS: Ultrastructural examination of the control material revealed numerous collagen fibers that were homogenous in size and organization on cross section. Periodic striation was typical in collagen that produced fibers. In the study group the tunica albuginea structure had a chaotic pattern of collagen fibers that formed bundles with disrupted 3-dimensional organization. Diameter of the fibers differed greatly on cross section. We observed periodic widening and fragmentation of collagen fibers with the complete disappearance of striation and transformation into electron dense, fibrous granulated material. Disrupted fibroblasts without cell membrane and cellular organelles between collagen fibers were also visible. There was elastin accumulation without any morphological differences in the control and study groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that ultrastructural changes in the tunica albuginea may cause congenital penile curvature, possibly by altering mechanical properties.     

保留尿道板、带蒂鞘膜补片纠治儿童阴茎下弯

目的：探讨中重度尿道下裂合并的阴茎下弯的纠治方法。方法：回顾2008年5月-2009年11月本院对20例合伴中重度阴茎下弯的尿道下裂患儿施行了分期手术,第一期阴茎伸直术采用了保留原位尿道板、转移带蒂睾丸鞘膜补片法。结果：20例均成功实施手术,术后无皮瓣坏死、感染及渗血情况。有14例半年后施行第二期尿道成形术,术中经人工勃起试验评估阴茎弯曲纠正好。结论：保留尿道板、带蒂睾丸鞘膜补片法是一种纠治阴茎下弯的可靠方法,疗效满意。     

Anatomical studies of the urethral plate: why preservation of the urethral plate is important in hypospadias repair

OBJECTIVE: To describe the detailed anatomy of the urethral plate in relation to its controversial role in hypospadias surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A newborn penis with proximal penile hypospadias and two fetal penises with distal shaft hypospadias were included in the study; 30 normal fetal penises served as the control. Specimens were embedded in paraffin and serially sectioned (6 microm) after formalin fixation. Every 10th section was stained with haematoxylin and eosin. Immunohistochemical staining for nerves (S100), smooth muscles (alpha-actin), blood vessels (factor VIII) and epithelium (cytokeratins 7, 14 and 18) were used on selected sections, with particular attention to the urethral plate. Masson's trichrome and Sirius Red stains were used to localize collagen. RESULTS: There were extensive blood vessels, glands and smooth muscle under the urethral plate in the hypospadias specimens. These relatively well organized tissues corresponded to an abnormally formed corpus spongiosum. The glands underneath the urethral plate and adjacent to the normal urethra showed positive staining for cytokeratins 7 and 18, respectively (markers of endodermal origin) but were negative for cytokeratin 14 (a marker of ectodermal origin). Penile skin and urethral plate epithelium stained positively for cytokeratin 14 but not for cytokeratin 7 and 18. The urethral plate has a rich nerve supply, as determined by S100 staining. Collagen intensity under the urethral plate was no different from that in normal areas. Tunica albuginea stained intensely for type I and III collagen. CONCLUSION: These results show that the urethral plate is well vascularized, has a rich nerve supply and an extensive muscular and connective tissue backing. These features may explain the lower complication rate with onlay flaps than with tube flaps. Therefore, from these anatomical findings, we continue to advocate preservation of the urethral plate and the onlay island flap for hypospadias reconstruction.     

Midshaft hypospadias

The key to successful hypospadias surgery is minimal tissue handling, tension-free reconstruction, the use of well-vascularized tissue, and knowledge of which repairs are indicated. Preservation of the urethral plate along with an onlay graft has a low complication rate and should be attempted for midshaft hypospadias repair. Although tubularized pedicle flaps increase the risk of complications such as urethral strictures, urethral diverticula, and fistulas, they provide a good alternative in the presence of a poorly developed urethral plate. For correction of the penile curvature, we recommend ventral lengthening procedures in cases where simple dorsal plication will result in shortening of an already compromised penile length. Using these principles, excellent cosmetic and functional results can be expected for treatment of midshaft hypospadias.     

Review and update of the anatomy of the penis

The knowledge of penile anatomy is basic to perform a proper diagnosis and direct the most adequate treatment of the various diseases that may appear: urethral stenosis, erectile dysfunction, congenital or acquired penile curvature, etc.; being its anatomical knowledge essential for a proper surgical management. The penis is the male organ involved in both voiding and sexual functions: the body of the penis is composed by three erectile bodies, (i.e the deep structures): the corpora cavernosa and the corpus spongiosum, this last surrounding and covering the urethra. Buck's fascia is in relation to the deep structures of the penis. The superficial fascia, dartos, is made up from a more areolar tissue and is in relation to skin and vessels. The vascularization of the deep structures comes from the common penile artery, a branch of the internal pudendal artery. Penile blood drains through three venous systems: superficial, intermediate and deep systems. Pudendal nerves are in charge of the sensitive and motor somatic innervations. Cavernosal nerves are a combination of parasympathetic and sympathetic afferent fibers, corresponding to the nerves of the autonomic system of the penis.     

尿道下裂术后尿道狭窄在青春期后的处理经验(附71例报告)

目的:探讨尿道下裂术后尿道狭窄在青春期后的处理经验。方法:回顾性分析2015年1月至2019年12月上海交通大学附属第六人民医院收治的71例青春期后就诊的尿道下裂术后尿道狭窄患者的临床资料。年龄平均27.7(12～65)岁;病程平均33.4(1～240)个月。既往手术次数平均2.5(1～9)次;尿道异位开口32例,其中...     

长隧道带蒂包皮内板尿道成形术治疗阴茎体型尿道下裂的疗效分析

目的 探讨长隧道带蒂包皮内板尿道成形术治疗阴茎体型尿道下裂的疗效. 方法 2007年9月至2010年4月收治阴茎体型尿道下裂患儿28例,年龄1.5 ～6.0岁,平均2.0岁.均行长隧道带蒂包皮内板尿道成形术.尿道开口均位于阴茎体部,距离阴茎头顶端16 ～ 37 mm,平均25immn;分离尿道及纠正阴茎下曲后尿道缺损30 ～ 42 mm,平均38 mm.手术要点:沿尿道开口环形切开阴茎皮肤,分离至尿道板,横断尿道板,沿尿道板与海绵体之间分离隧道至阴茎头正中,隧道长度26～38 mm,平均33 mm.尿道开口至阴茎头之间全程由隧道贯通,尽量保持阴茎腹侧皮肤与组织完整,取带蒂包皮内板制作新尿道,将新尿道通过阴茎侧方深筋膜下通道转移至腹侧隧道进行吻合.术中人工勃起试验证实合并轻度阴茎下曲13例,无明显阴茎下曲15例. 结果 28例均一期修复成功,手术时间50～70 min,平均55min.随访时间6～31个月,平均20个月.28例患儿均排尿通畅,尿线粗直.尿道呈矢状开口于阴茎头正中,阴茎下曲纠正满意,外观好,未发生尿瘘或狭窄. 结论 长隧道带蒂包皮内板尿道成形术适用于无或合并轻度阴茎下曲的阴茎体型尿道下裂,尤其适合年龄小或阴茎体细小患儿,手术简单,效果好,外观满意.     

Lengthening urethral plate with inner preputial skin grafts: a modification of the onlay technique

PURPOSE: The onlay technique for primary hypospadias with severe chordee usually requires dorsal plication for residual curvature. To avoid this we use an inner preputial skin graft to reconstruct the urethral plate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The urethral plate is divided with a transverse incision near the meatus and penile straightening is achieved. After this a fitting inner preputial skin is grafted between the meatus and urethral plate, and the ventral side of the neourethra is formed with an onlay island flap. RESULTS: A total of 21 patients have undergone this procedure. At a mean followup of 10 months a urethrocutaneous fistula developed in 2 patients and glans dehiscence developed in 1. The complication rate was 14.3%. No anastomotic stricture or megaurethra were found. All patients had excellent cosmetic results. CONCLUSIONS: Lengthening the urethral plate with an inner preputial skin graft allows adequate correction of severe chordee. We think that it is a useful procedure in select cases of primary hypospadias with severe inward curvature.     

The forked flap repair for hypospadias

Context:

Despite the abundance of techniques for the repair of Hypospadias, its problems still persist and a satisfactory design to correct the penile curvature with the formation of neourethra from the native urethral tissue or genital or extragenital tissues, with minimal postoperative complications has yet to evolve.

Aim:

Persisting with such an endeavor, a new technique for the repair of distal and midpenile hypospadias is described.

Materials and Methods:

The study has been done in 70 cases over the past 11 years. The “Forked-Flap” repair is a single stage method for the repair of such Hypospadias with chordee. It takes advantage of the rich vascular communication at the corona and capitalizes on the established reliability of the meatal based flip–flap. The repair achieves straightening of the curvature of the penis by complete excision of chordee tissue from the ventral surface of the penis beneath the urethral plate. The urethra is reconstructed using the native plate with forked flap extensions and genital tissue relying on the concept of meatal based flaps. Water proofing by dartos tissue and reinforcement by Nesbit''s prepucial tissue transfer completes the one stage procedure.

Statistical Analysis:

An analysis of 70 cases of this single stage technique of repair of penile hypospadias with chordee, operated at 3 to 5 years of age over the past 11 years is presented.

Results and Conclusion:

The Forked Flap gives comparable and replicable results; except for a urethrocutaneous fistula rate of 4% no other complications were observed.KEY WORDS: Chordee, fistula, forked flap, hypospadias, urethral plate     

Comparison of the precision of transurethral endoscopic versus ultrasound-guided application of injectables

OBJECTIVE

To compare the precision of transurethral endoscopic‐ vs ultrasound (US)‐guided injections, as transurethral application of various injectables under endoscopic view are widely used to treat urinary incontinence.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Bovine collagen was injected into the lower urinary tract in 20 dead female pigs. In each pig five depots of collagen were injected and there were five pigs in each group. In group I collagen was injected into the urethral wall under endoscopic control. In group II collagen depots were injected periurethrally under endosocopic guidance. In group III collagen was injected into the urethral wall under US control. In group IV collagen depots were injected periurethrally under US guidance. A transurethral US probe (6 F, 15 MHz) and injection device were used for transurethral US‐guided injections. In all pigs the urethra and the periurethral tissue were removed after injection and investigated using anatomical preparations and histological sections.

RESULTS

In group I only two collagen depots were actually located in the urethral wall in two pigs (two of 25 depots, 8%). In group II five depots in two pigs were located in the urethral wall (five of 25 depots, 20%). The periurethral collagen depots were found to spread out in the loose connective and fat tissue around the urethra. In group III all US‐guided injections of collagen were situated in the urethral wall and in group IV they were all located periurethrally.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study shows that endoscopic application of injectables is an inaccurate technique, while US‐guided injections are precise. US‐guided injection enables excellent control of the therapeutic procedure.     

Chordee without hypospadias: report of 79 Chinese prepubertal patients

A series of Chinese prepubertal patients with congenital chordee without hypospadias is presented and the clinical data described. From July 1999 to September 2006, 79 boys with congenital chordee without hypospadias were treated in the Department of Pediatric Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, China. The ages ranged from 21 months to 14 years, with a mean of 76.8 months (6.4 years). The patients were categorized according to structural defect into 4 groups, with the aid of intraoperative artificial erection. Group I included those with skin tethering (28 cases, 35.4%); group II, fascial chordee (22, 27.8%); group III, corporal disproportion (10, 12.7%); and group IV, urethral tethering (19, 24.1%). Chordee-related structural defect was considered the only criterion for classification, and urethral dysgenesis influenced the choice of surgical procedure. The chordee in group I patients was corrected with penile degloving; group II, release of dense fibrous tissue in addition; group III, dorsal-midline-plication-based correction; and group IV, longitudinal-island-flap-urethroplasty-based repair. At a mean follow-up of 14.8 months (range, 2 to 63), all patients had penile straightening except 1 group III patient with residual curvature that was managed upon reoperation. Glans dehiscence occurred in 1 group II patient who underwent a tubularized incised plate urethroplasty. Urethrocutaneous fistula and urethral stricture were found in 2 group IV patients who underwent island flap urethroplasty. With the categorization based on structural defect, chordee without hypospadias may be managed well with minimized complications.     

尿道板矫形术治疗先天性尿道下裂11例报告

目的:探讨尿道板矫形术对阴茎型尿道下裂进行I期修复的疗效。方法:沿尿道板两侧,绕尿道口呈U形切开,留取尿道板皮肤0.8cm以上,分离尿道板,切除白膜外的纤维组织,伸直阴茎,将尿道板固定于阴茎白膜上,形成尿道板皮条,留置F10～12硅胶支架管,新尿道开口于阴茎头,转移背侧包皮皮肤覆盖创面,膀胱造瘘,支架管保留2周。结果:11例阴茎型尿道下裂,阴茎伸直满意;有3例合并尿瘘,其中1例自愈,2例经手术修补,尿瘘痊愈。9例尿道开口于冠状沟。结论:该方法矫正阴茎型尿道下裂方法较简单,效果好,有较好的应用价值;但尿道口的整复尚待进一步探讨。     

A new approach in hypospadias repair

The field of hypospadiology remains full of challenges in the search for new and better solutions. In recent years, our concept has involved being very radical in penile reconstructive surgery, using an aggressive approach. The penile disassembly technique, either complete or incomplete, is used successfully in epispadias repair. We began using penile disassembly in hypospadias repair in November 1995. The technique was applied on 112 patients aged from 9 months to 32 years. Indications were: hypospadias with severe penile curvature (especially when the curvature was located in the distal third of the corpora cavernosa), chordee without hypospadias, and small penises with hypospadias. The principle of the technique involves separation of the penis into its component parts: the glans cap with neurovascular bundle (dorsally) together with the nondivided or divided urethra and urethral plate (ventrally) and the corpora cavernosa. This maneuver enables an excellent correction of curvature, especially if it is located in the distal third of the corporal bodies and glans tilt. With this technique, substitution urethroplasty can be avoided or its extent, decreased. It enables penile enlargement, above all its lengthening, which is a significant gain in small penises with hypospadias. The patients were followed for 3–23 months (mean 16 months). Straightening of the penis was achieved in all cases without recurrence of curvature. In 37 patients penile disassembly combined with extensive urethral mobilization solved the problem of hypospadiac meatus without the need to form a neourethra. Complications related to urethroplasty included four urethral stenoses, two fistulas, and three diverticula. There was no injury to the neurovascular bundle and urethra. Sensitivity and erection were preserved in all patients. Penile disassembly is an optimal technique for repair of hypospadias with severe curvature and small hypospadiac penises. Real penile augmentation is possible with this technique.     

Tubularized incised-plate urethroplasty for proximal hypospadias

OBJECTIVE: To report the experience of one surgeon using tubularized incised-plate (TIP) urethroplasty to repair proximal hypospadias in a consecutive series of boys. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The records of 33 consecutive patients with midshaft to scrotal hypospadias undergoing TIP repair by one surgeon were reviewed. Dorsal plication was used as necessary for penile straightening, to preserve the urethral plate. Standard TIP urethroplasty was undertaken, and the follow-up included the selective use of neourethral calibration and urethroscopy. RESULTS: Plication was necessary in 18 (55%) patients. The incised plate had a supple appearance in all but two boys. The mean (range) follow-up was 9 (1-48) months and included calibration in 16 (48%) and urethroscopy in 13 (39%) patients. Complications were noted in 11 (33%) boys, of whom seven (21%) developed small fistulae. The two patients in whom the incised plate appeared unhealthy had dehiscence of the repair and contracture of the neourethra with recurrent penile curvature, respectively. There was one meatal stenosis and one short neourethral stricture. CONCLUSIONS: TIP urethroplasty can be used to repair proximal hypospadias in the absence of severe penile curvature, and if the incised urethral plate has a supple appearance. As with distal hypospadias repair, the procedure creates a normal-appearing penis with a slit-like meatus.     

尿道下裂保留尿道板与带蒂包皮内板一期尿道成形术

从１９９１～１９９６年，应用保留尿道板与带蒂包皮内板组成尿道，一期成形治疗先天性阴茎体形尿道下裂４５例，术后除６例（１３％）出现尿道瘘外，余一次手术成功，无尿道狭窄等并发症。认为大多数尿道下裂其尿道板不是引起阴茎弯曲的原因。由此组成的新尿道血供好，不易形成瘢痕狭窄及尿漏。     

成人尿道下裂分期手术探讨

目的:探讨成人尿道下裂分期手术的必要性,提高成人尿道下裂的手术成功率。方法:回顾性分析我院泌尿外科2004年1月至2012年1月收治成人尿道下裂患者52例。52例男性患者,平均年龄22岁,所有患者过去均有尿道成形手术史,患者局部阴茎皮肤有瘢痕组织,均有阴茎下弯。术中行阴茎包皮脱鞘切除腹侧瘢痕纤维索带切断尿道板,仍存在阴茎下弯患者行阴茎背侧海绵体白膜折叠伸直阴茎,伸直阴茎后前尿道缺损长度占阴茎长度比例大于50%。根据术中是否行分期手术将患者分为两组,1组(20例)患者行I期包皮带蒂皮瓣卷管术尿道成型,2组(32例)患者阴茎伸直后将整个阴茎多余包皮转移至腹侧,做成形缝合为II期尿道成型预留尿道板,6¹2个月后行阴茎腹侧皮管卷管尿道成形术。结果:两组患者分别在Ⅰ期和Ⅱ期尿道成形术后发生尿瘘比例为50%、21.9%,尿道狭窄15%、9.4%,伤口感染30%、25%,尿道裂开20%、12.5%,尿道成形手术成功率分别为25%、56.3%。两组尿道成形术后发生尿瘘和尿道成形成功率的差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),术后发生尿道狭窄、伤口感染及尿道裂开并发症的差异无统计学意义。结论:对有尿道下裂手术史的成人患者,尤其对那些阴茎下弯明显,前尿道缺损长且局部包皮材料不足的患者分期手术更适合,Ⅱ期尿道成形的成功率得到提高。     

Regional differences in the extracellular matrix of the human spongy urethra as evidenced by the composition of glycosaminoglycans

PURPOSE: Despite the concept that the spongy urethra is a unique entity clinical evidence suggests the existence of segmental structural differences. The spongy urethra has a vascular nature, its cells may express different phenotypes and the extracellular matrix that they synthesize should reflect these differences. Glycosaminoglycans are components of the extracellular matrix that have key roles in the normal physiology and pathology of several tissues. Although total collagen content of the urethra was determined, we also analyzed urethral glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fresh, macroscopically normal cadaveric urethral samples were obtained from 15 men who died at a mean age of 25.4 years. The urethra was divided into glanular, penile and bulbar segments, which were then analyzed separately. Total GAG concentration was assessed by hexuronic acid assay and expressed as microg. hexuronic acid per mg. dry tissue, while the proportions of sulfated GAGs were determined by agarose gel electrophoresis. Hyaluronan concentration was determined by ion exchange chromatography and total tissue collagen was estimated as hydroxyproline content. RESULTS: Total GAG concentration was heterogeneous along the spongy urethra (p <0.001). Mean values plus or minus standard deviation in the glanular, penile and bulbar segments were 2.53 +/- 0.42, 2.11 +/- 0.47 and 1.47 +/- 0.4 microg./mg., respectively. The most predominant GAG was hyaluronan and its highest mean concentration of 50.1% +/- 3.7% was found in the glanular urethra. The most predominant sulfated GAG in the male urethra was dermatan sulfate, followed by chondroitin sulfate and heparan sulfate. Total collagen content and the GAG-to-collagen ratio varied along the spongy urethra and were lowest in the bulbar segment. CONCLUSIONS: The extracellular matrix of the human spongy urethra shows regional differences, as evidenced by biochemical analysis of GAG and collagen. This heterogeneity implies functional adaptations in the various segments and may affect the physiology and segmental incidence of urethral diseases.     

TIP术式在伴有解剖不良因素的尿道下裂Ⅰ期成形术中的应用

目的:探讨保留尿道板纵切卷管尿道成形术(TIP术)在伴有解剖不良因素的尿道下裂Ⅰ期成形术中的应用效果。方法:回顾性分析尿道下裂TIP术式Ⅰ期成形191例,将尿道开口位置、阴茎头及尿道板发育状况、阴茎下曲程度视为易导致TIP术后并发症及影响外观的解剖不良因素,采用SPSS 10.0统计数据,对其临床效果进行相关性分析。结果:①TIP术后并发症发生率与尿道开口位置密切相关,尿道开口越近,并发症发生率越高(χ2=24.291,P<0.01);②TIP术后并发症发生率与阴茎头及尿道板发育状况、阴茎下曲程度密切相关。伴有解剖不良因素的尿道下裂如小阴茎头型、尿道板发育不良型及伴有重度阴茎下曲型,采用TIP术后并发症发生率高于阴茎挺直、阴茎头及尿道板发育良好的尿道下裂(χ2=25.419,P<0.01)。结论:TIP术式的选择应根据尿道下裂类型、阴茎头及尿道板发育状况、阴茎下曲程度并结合术者经验来应用,以期达到成功率高并外形美观的效果。     

Topical vanadate optimizes collagen organization within granulation tissue

Systemic ingestion of vanadate, a nonspecific inhibitor of tyrosine phosphatases, doubles wound breaking strength, enhances the packing of collagen fibers, and prevents the appearance of myofibroblasts in granulation tissue. Will the local application of vanadate mimic the systemic effects? Pairs of polyvinyl alcohol sponges, each with a central reservoir and attached injection port, were subcutaneously implanted in rats. Daily, one implant received 0.2 ml of saline and the other received 0.2 ml of 0.03 mM vanadate in saline. On day 7, harvested sponges had equivalent wet weights. The vanadate‐treated sponges had fibroblasts separated by connective tissue, with a more intense birefringence of the collagen fibers. Transmission electron microscopy showed collagen more uniformly packed in the vanadate treated sponges where collagen fibers were equally spaced and had equal diameters. By immunohistology, myofibroblasts, defined by the expression of α‐smooth muscle actin within stress fibers, were absent in vanadate‐treated granulation tissue. The expression of α‐smooth muscle actin was restricted to smooth muscle cells of blood vessels. Controls had densely packed α‐smooth muscle actin staining myofibroblasts, weak birefringence, and randomly spaced collagen fibers with irregular diameters. We conclude that the local application of vanadate prevents the appearance of myofibroblasts and optimizes the organization of collagen fibers in developing granulation tissue. (WOUND REP REG 2003;11:204–212)     

衰老对大鼠阴茎组织NO-cGMP通路及端粒酶活性的影响研究

目的探讨衰老对大鼠阴茎组织结构、NO(nitric oxide)-cGMP(cvclic Guanosine Monophosphate)通路及端粒酶活性的影响作用。方法本课题以不同月龄大鼠阴茎组织及培养的平滑肌细胞为研究对象,检测不同月龄大鼠阴茎组织中NO量、NOS(Nitric Oxide Synthase)活性、cGMP量、端粒酶活性及海绵体结构的变化,并比较大鼠、人阴茎组织及大鼠原代海绵体平滑肌细胞的端粒酶活性。结果(1)大鼠阴茎组织中NO量、NOS活性均先升高后降低,各月龄组间有显著差异。阴茎组织cGMP含量逐渐降低,各月龄组间差别显著；(2)随龄增加,平滑肌纤维逐渐减少,胶原纤维增多,粗大成团,窦状隙变少、变窄：(3)大鼠阴茎组织端粒酶活性以2月龄活性最高,随龄增加逐渐下降。人阴茎组织中无端粒酶活性。结论(1)衰老对大鼠阴茎组织结构、NO．cGMP通路及端粒酶活性有显著影响,提示衰老与ED关系密切；(2)大鼠阴茎组织有端粒酶活性,可作为研究细胞衰老与ED关系有关端粒酶的模型。