Use of overlapping buccal mucosa graft urethroplasty for complex anterior urethral strictures

Complex anterior urethral stricture disease typically manifests as a symptomatic, severely narrowed, long stricture (or multiple strictures) in which conventional excision and/or augmentation is not feasible. Overlapping buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty (OBMGU) is an innovative hybrid technique, combining the well-established principles of dorsal and ventral graft augmentation to allow single stage reconstruction of complex anterior urethral strictures. In this review, we discuss the rationale, techniques, and outcomes of OBMGU for complex anterior urethral strictures.     

Single-stage segmental urethral replacement using combined ventral onlay fasciocutaneous flap with dorsal onlay buccal grafting for long segment strictures

Study Type – Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Single‐stage urethral segment replacement has historically poor outcomes and two‐stage repairs are now more common. We present a novel approach to the single‐stage repair with initial outcomes similar to two‐stage repairs.

OBJECTIVE

• ? To present our experience with repairing long‐segment urethralstrictures in a single‐stage using a combined tissue‐transfer technique.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

• ? In all, 14 men underwent urethroplasty where a segment of urethra was completely replaced using a dorsal onlay buccal mucosa graft and a ventral onlay fasciocutaneous flap in a singlestage.
• ? Primary success was defined as an open urethra at >6 months follow‐up with no need for additional surgical intervention.
• ? Secondary success was defined as the need for a single postoperative endoscopic procedure before stricture stabilization.
• ? Failure was the need for multiple endoscopic procedures, repeat urethroplasty, urinary diversion or intermittent dilatation.

RESULTS

• ? The mean (sd ) stricture length was 9.75 (4.6) cm. The mean (sd ) neourethral length was 5.4 (2.7) cm. Stricture location was penile/bulbar in 12men, and bulbar alone in two. Primary success was achieved in nine of the 14 men at a median (range) follow‐up of 2.5 (0.5–9.43) years.
• ? The mean (sd ) time to recurrence in the five initial failures was 340 (376) days.
• ? Secondary success was achieved in two men after a single endoscopic procedure for an overall success in 11 of 14 men.
• ? Patients that recurred had longer strictures (12.8 vs 8.7 cm, P= 0.04) than initial successes, but neourethral lengths were similar (6.2 vs 5.1 cm, P= 0.5).
• ? In all, three of the 14 men failed, two of whom required a repeat urethroplasty.

CONCLUSIONS

• ? Our initial outcomes were favourable using the combined tissue‐transfer technique for segmental urethral replacement with initial and secondary success rates similar to those reported for two‐stage repairs.
• ? This technique is not suitable for all patients as it requires healthy penile skin, but appears to be effective when a single‐stage repair is desirable.

     

Results of buccal mucosa grafts for repairing long bulbar urethral strictures

Study Type – Therapy (case series)
Level of Evidence 4

OBJECTIVES

To report the medium‐term results at our institution of repairing long bulbar urethral strictures with buccal mucosal grafts.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between January 2003 and June 2007, a buccal mucosa graft repair was used in 34 patients with recurrent bulbar strictures >2 cm. The follow‐up included uroflowmetry with an ultrasonographic estimate of residual volume at 3 months, 1 year and yearly thereafter, or at the onset of obstructive voiding symptoms. A retrograde urethrogram with a voiding cysto‐urethrogram was taken at 6 months. Flexible urethroscopy was used whenever a recurrent stricture was suspected. A successful outcome was defined as normal voiding with no stricture on the voiding cysto‐urethrogram and no need for subsequent instrumentation.

RESULTS

The median (range) age of the patients was 55.5 (23–74) years. The mean (sd ) preoperative maximum flow rate was 6.6 (2.5) mL/s with a mean (sd ) residual volume of 51.7 (89.7) mL. Seven patients (21%) had had one or more previous urethral dilatations, 15 (44%) had undergone one or more internal urethrotomies and 10 (30%) received both treatments. Eight patients (24%) had previous open urethral surgery; two had no previous treatment. A dorsal onlay technique was used in 30 patients, a ventral onlay in one, a combined technique (dorsal onlay and ventral fasciocutaneous flap) in two and a two‐stage buccal mucosa urethroplasty in one. The mean (sd ) operative duration was 147 (36) min, and the stricture length and buccal mucosa graft length were, respectively, 3.2 (1.2) cm and 4.4 (0.6) cm. Follow‐up was available in 33 patients (97%) with a mean of 23 (15.4) months. The success rate was then 94%. Both failures occurred within the first year and were managed successfully by internal urethrotomy. The mean (sd ) postoperative maximum flow rate was 20 (11) mL/s with a mean (sd ) residual volume of 46 (68) mL. There were no medium‐term donor‐site complications. Postmicturition dribbling was noted in eight patients (24%). None of the patients had de novo impotence or urinary incontinence, and to date no patient has needed a repeat open reconstruction.

CONCLUSION

Our results show that in patients with bulbar urethral strictures of >2 cm, urethroplasty using buccal mucosa is feasible, with very encouraging medium‐term results. We confirm that this type of reconstruction could be considered the standard of care for bulbar strictures of >2 cm.     

Single-stage dorsal inlay split-skin graft for salvage anterior urethral reconstruction

OBJECTIVE

To report our initial experience and extended follow‐up of single‐stage dorsal inlay skin‐graft urethroplasty for salvaging recurrent anterior urethral stricture (AUS), as urethral reconstruction remains a challenge, particularly in patients with recurrent AUS after previous surgery, and a paucity of local skin frequently requires free graft reconstruction techniques.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In all, 27 patients (mean age 48.12 years, range 17–79) with recurrent AUS had a dorsal inlay urethroplasty using extragenital split‐thickness skin grafts. An electrical dermatome was used for graft harvesting. All patients had contraindications for buccal mucosal grafting (e.g. radiotherapy, leukoplakia). The assessment before repair comprised a clinical investigation, urine analysis, uroflowmetry, retrograde and voiding cystogram, urethral ultrasonography and endoscopy. The follow‐up was based on an assessment of flow rate and postvoid residual volume. Success was defined by the absence of symptoms and stable maximum flow rate, while any further instrumentation was considered a failure.

RESULTS

The mean (range) stricture length was 8.35 (3–14) cm. The overall complication rate was 7%, with no complications during surgery. During the mean (range) follow‐up of 32.43 (5–46) months, 25 (93%) of the patients were successfully cured in one operation. Two patients required further treatment for recurrence and fistula. No long‐term complications were noted at the graft donor sites. There was no case of intraurethral hair growth during the extended follow‐up.

CONCLUSION

If there are contraindications for buccal mucosal grafting, a split‐thickness skin can be used for dorsal inlay urethroplasty in recurrent AUS. A well‐vascularized recipient bed on the corpora cavernosa is required for reliable graft take. Intra‐urethral hair growth is avoided by using split‐skin grafts. Although the complication rates are equivalent to those of buccal mucosa, we await the longer follow‐up to assess the ultimate value of this alternative single‐stage technique.     

Outcome of dorsal buccal graft urethroplasty for recurrent bulbar urethral strictures

OBJECTIVE

To audit our results of dorsal buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty for recurrent bulbar urethral stricture disease and compare them with those from specialist centres.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Data were collected prospectively on 52 men who had urethroplasty with ≥1 year of follow‐up; failure was defined as the need for further intervention.

RESULTS

The mean (range) age of the patients was 39 (19–61) years and 23 (45%) had an identifiable cause for their stricture. The mean (range) stricture length was 3.5 (1.5–6) cm and was associated with moderate or severe spongiofibrosis in 38 (73%) men. Ten (19%) men had minor complications after surgery. The mean (range) follow‐up was 34 (12–80) months, with the mean maximum urinary flow rate increasing from 6 to 24 mL/s after surgery. The surgery failed, requiring dilatation or urethrotomy, in seven (14%) men at a mean (range) of 25 (15–50) months after urethroplasty, giving an overall success rate of 86%.

CONCLUSION

This prospective audit of dorsal buccal patch augmentation urethroplasty for bulbar strictures shows an equivalent outcome to the standard set by the expert originators, suggesting that is transferable to less specialized centres. The efficacy, low complication rate, short hospital stay and general applicability of the technique encourage its use for all men with recurrent bulbar stricture disease, but formal comparison with other options in randomized trials, including cost‐effectiveness analysis, is needed.     

Treatment of long ureteric strictures with buccal mucosal grafts

Study Type – Therapy (case series)
Level of Evidence 4

OBJECTIVE

To describe the reconstruction of long ureteric strictures using buccal mucosal patch grafts and to report the intermediate‐term functional outcome.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between November 2000 and October 2006 reconstruction of seven long ureteric strictures using buccal mucosal patch grafts and omental wrapping was performed in five women (one with bilateral strictures) and one man. The surgical steps of stricture reconstruction and wrapping with omentum are described in detail. Stricture recurrence was defined as persistent impaired ureteric drainage as displayed by imaging techniques or the necessity to prolong JJ stenting. Patency rates and stricture recurrence‐free survival rates are provided.

RESULTS

With a median follow up of 18 months five of the seven strictures were recurrence‐free. Graft take was good in all patients. In one asymptomatic patient, there was impaired ureteric drainage on the reconstructed side, and in one patient with reconstruction of both ureters prolonged JJ stenting of one side was necessary. In both patients, the impaired drainage was caused by persistent stricture below the reconstructed ureteric segments.

CONCLUSIONS

At intermediate‐term follow‐up in a small group of patients with long ureteric strictures, treatment with buccal mucosal patch grafts and omental wrapping showed good functional outcome.     

Substitution urethroplasty for anterior urethral strictures: a critical appraisal of various techniques

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively compare the outcome of various techniques of substitution urethroplasty. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1989 and 2000, 109 patients (mean age 39.5 years) underwent substitution urethroplasty for recurrent anterior urethral strictures. Between 1989 and 1995 the procedure was by ventral placement of free grafts (bladder mucosa, buccal mucosa, penile skin) or penile skin flaps. From 1995 onwards the flaps and grafts (buccal mucosa) were applied either ventrally or dorsally. Stricture recurrence and the complications associated with each technique were compared. RESULTS: Ventral onlay repairs were associated with a higher incidence of complications than dorsal repairs, e.g. postvoid dribbling (39% vs 23%, P = 0.01), ejaculatory dysfunction (20% vs 5%, P = 0.03) and flap/graft pseudo-diverticulum or out-pouching (26% vs 2.6%, P = 0.01). Superficial penile skin necrosis was significantly more common with the use of penile skin flaps than with free grafts. There was no significant difference in stricture recurrence, erectile dysfunction and residual penile deformity among the various techniques. CONCLUSIONS: Dorsal free graft/flap onlay urethroplasty gives better results than ventrally placed free grafts/flaps. Dorsal onlay buccal mucosal urethroplasty is a versatile procedure and associated with fewer complications than other substitution methods.     

口颊黏膜在尿道重建中的应用

随着尿道重建技术的不断改进,口颊黏膜替代尿道成形术逐渐成为前尿道缺损修复的最佳选择。本文主要对口颊黏膜的优势特点作一介绍,并阐述口颊黏膜替代尿道成形术在前尿道狭窄和尿道下裂中的临床应用和进展。     

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.     

Innovative approaches for complex penile urethral strictures

Urethral strictures are a common urologic disease that arises from varied etiologies. These strictures range in severity from simple, short lesions to complex, long defects. Likewise, the management approach varies based on the complexity of the lesion. We reviewed the literature of urethral stricture disease and its management. In particular we have focused on complex strictures of the male penile urethra. Often these cases cannot be managed with traditional reconstructive techniques and require newer approaches. Furthermore tissue engineered graft materials provide a possible tissue source for future reconstructive endeavors.     

Dorsal buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty by a ventral sagittal urethrotomy and minimal-access perineal approach for anterior urethral stricture

OBJECTIVE: To present the technique of dorsal buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty through a ventral sagittal urethrotomy and minimal access perineal approach for anterior urethral stricture. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From July 2001 to December 2002, 12 patients with a long anterior urethral stricture had the anterior urethra reconstructed, using a one-stage urethroplasty with a dorsal onlay buccal mucosal graft through a ventral sagittal urethrotomy. The urethra was approached via a small perineal incision irrespective of the site and length of the stricture. The penis was everted through the perineal wound. No urethral dissection was used on laterally or dorsally, so as not to jeopardize the blood supply. RESULTS: The mean (range) length of the stricture was 5 (3-16) cm and the follow-up 12 (10-16) months. The results were good in 11 of the 12 patients. One patient developed a stricture at the proximal anastomotic site and required optical internal urethrotomy. CONCLUSION: Dorsal buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty via a minimal access perineal approach is a simple technique with a good surgical outcome; it does not require urethral dissection and mobilization and hence preserves the blood supply.     

Staged urethroplasty in the management of complex anterior urethral stricture disease

Staged buccal mucosa graft urethroplasty has emerged as a reliable procedure for difficult anterior urethral strictures not amenable to one-stage graft or flap reconstruction. It has primarily been used for strictures and/or fistulae occurring after previous surgery for hypospadias or those related to lichen sclerosus (LS). Success rates in these patient populations have improved when compared to earlier techniques. However, prior studies have demonstrated a number of patients requiring more than two procedures to complete the reconstruction, as well as some who have been content with their voiding pattern after the first operation and therefore elected to forego second stage tubularization. In this setting, we have reviewed the surgical technique and summarized previously published work. There may be an opportunity to complete more of these repairs in two operations using additional oral mucosa at the time of tubularization.