Surgical Techniques in Substitution Urethroplasty Using Buccal Mucosa for the Treatment of Anterior Urethral Strictures

Urethral 'cripples': two-staged procedures

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To review the current literature on staged procedures in patients with previous urethral interventions ('urethral cripples').

RECENT FINDINGS

Five studies published during the past 18 months could be identified, the majority with short-term follow-up and small patient numbers. Four studies investigated the outcome after redo surgery in hypospadias patients, one study after urethral stricture disease.

SUMMARY

The few data published suggest acceptable complication rate and success rate for surgical outcome. Long-term and prospective data with special respect to sexual function, patient satisfaction, and quality of life are still lacking.

Urethral reconstruction using buccal mucosa or penile skin grafts: systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Different types of grafts have been described in urethral reconstruction (UR), with penile skin graft (PSG) and buccal mucosa graft (BMG) as the most frequently used ones. It still remains unclear whether one graft is superior in terms of success when compared to the other.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A systematic review of the literature was performed searching the MEDLINE database with the following search strategy: 'urethroplasty' AND 'penile skin'/ 'urethroplasty' AND 'buccal mucosa'. 266 and 144 records were retrieved for urethroplasty with PSG and BMG, respectively. These records were reviewed to identify papers where PSG and BMG were used in UR and where individualized data on success were available within the same series.

RESULTS

18 papers were found eligible for further analysis. In total, 428 and 483 patients were respectively treated with PSG or BMG. If available, follow-up duration was 64.1 versus 42.1 months (p < 0.0001) and stricture length 6.2 versus 4.6 cm (p < 0.0001) for PSG and BMG, respectively. Success of UR with PSG was 81.8 versus 85.9% with BMG (p = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Success of UR using BMG is significantly better compared to PSG. Results might be seriously biased by a longer follow-up duration and stricture length for PSG compared to BMG.

Long-term angiogenic activity of free grafts and pedicle flap in a rabbit urethroplasty model

PURPOSE

We studied the late angiogenic activity of free grafts and a pedicle flap in a rabbit urethroplasty model to determine whether angiogenic activity plays a role in late outcomes of urethral reconstruction in rabbits.

METHODS

Twenty-eight rabbits were randomly divided into five groups according to the method used to bridge a urethral defect as an onlay patch: Control, simple closure of urethral defect (Group O1); free penile skin graft (FPSG, Group A1); buccal mucosal graft (BuMG, Group B1); bladder mucosal graft (BlMG, Group C1); and pedicle penile skin flap (PPSF, Group D1). Angiogenic activity of the patch on postoperative day 84 was assessed by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

The angiogenic activity in Groups O1, A1, B1, C1, and D1 was 23.33 ± 4.92 (means ± SD), 42.89 ± 6.52, 55.78 ± 3.46, 53.61 ± 6.17, and 24.11 ± 9.07 vessels per optical field, respectively. There were statistically significant differences (p < .001) between Group O1 and A1 B1, C1, Group A1 and B1, C1, D1, Groups B1 and D1 and Groups C1 and D1, but not between Groups O1 and D1 (p = 1.000) and Groups B1 and C1 (p = .872). The long-term angiogenic activity of all the groups was significantly lower (p < .001) than in the corresponding early groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the angiogenic activity of all the groups decreased in the late assessment, the buccal mucosal graft continued to exhibit elevated angiogenesis above bladder or skin (free or pedicle) graft. Therefore, buccal mucosal patch graft might be preferable because of its easier harvesting.

Versatility of the ventral approach in bulbar urethroplasty using dorsal, ventral or dorsal plus ventral oral grafts

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the versatility of the ventral urethrotomy approach in bulbar reconstruction with buccal mucosa (BM) grafts placed on the dorsal, ventral or dorsal plus ventral urethral surface.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between 1999 and 2008, 216 patients with bulbar strictures underwent BM graft urethroplasty using the ventral-sagittal urethrotomy approach. Of these patients, 32 (14.8%; mean stricture 3.2 cm, range 1.5-5) had a dorsal graft urethroplasty (DGU), 121 (56%; mean stricture 3.7, range 1.5-8) a ventral graft urethroplasty (VGU), and 63 (29.2%; mean stricture 3.4, range 1.5-10) a dorsal plus ventral graft urethroplasty (DVGU). The strictured urethra was opened by a ventral-sagittal urethrotomy and BM graft was inserted dorsally or ventrally or dorsal plus ventral to augment the urethral plate.

RESULTS

The median follow-up was 37 months. The overall 5-year actuarial success rate was 91.4%. The 5-year actuarial success rates were 87.8%, 95.5% and 86.3% for the DGU, VGU and DVGU, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences among the three groups. Success rates decreased significantly only with a stricture length of >4 cm.

CONCLUSIONS

In BM graft bulbar urethroplasties the ventral urethrotomy access is simple and versatile, allowing an intraoperative choice of dorsal, ventral or combined dorsal and ventral grafting, with comparable success rates.

Inlay buccal mucosal graft for reoperative posterior urethroplasty

Posterior urethral distraction injury following major pelvic trauma is a surgical challenge. Although rarely seen, cases of failure after formal urethral reconstruction are even more problematic. We adapted the concept of augmented free buccal mucosal grafts, which have been successful in anterior urethroplasty, for repairing the posterior urethra in these rare cases with the aim of reducing the likelihood of penile chordee postoperatively. During 2007-2009, four patients were candidates for the proposed procedure because they had received formal transperineal urethral reconstruction but were unable to urinate through the urethra. The urethra was approached transperineally and opened in the midline, rather than divided. Buccal mucosal grafts of an appropriate size were placed in the created urethral groove from 4- to 8 o'clock in the lithotomy view. After the procedure, the urethral catheter was kept for 3 weeks. All patients voided through the urethra after the procedure. The maximal postoperative urinary flow rates were between 12-15 ml/seconds in all cases for a follow-up period of 18-30 months. The recurrence rate was 50% (2/4). Recurrent strictures were minor, and they showed a web-like stricture ring near the suture line. Restricture within 6 months of surgery responded well to endoscopic internal urethrotomy plus dilatations. In conclusion, without further compromising urethral length, reoperative posterior urethroplasty with the inlay grafting technique can be considered in selective cases.

Reconstruction of distal urethral strictures confined to the glans with circular buccal mucosa graft

OBJECTIVE

To report our results with 1-stage reconstruction in short distal urethral strictures using circular buccal mucosa graft (cBMG).

METHODS

The data of 19 patients (median age 41.8 years, range 25-58) operated between 2001 and 2010 were reviewed. Patients were evaluated with American Urological Association (AUA) symptom score, uroflowmetry, voiding cystourethrography (VCUG), and intraoperative urethroscopy. Stricture was limited to the glanular urethra (≤ 2 cm.) in all cases and 16 patients had lichen sclerosus. Strictured urethra was resected 0.5 cm proximal to the healthy urethra and a rectangular BMG with 4-cm length and 1.5- to 2.5-cm width (depending on the length of the defect) was rolled on a 24-Fr sound that calibrated the urethra. Proximal and distal edges of the cBMG were anastomosed circumferentially to the healthy mucosa and meatus, respectively. Foley catheter was removed within 10-14 days. Voiding symptoms, uroflowmetric parameters, and cosmesis were assessed at 1, 3, and 6 months, and yearly thereafter.

RESULTS

With a median follow-up of 38 months (range 12-96), 16 (84.2%) patients were cured. One patient developed early graft loss, and 2 patients developed stricture at proximal anastomotic site. Mean Q(max) (mL/s) increased from 7.8 ± 5.4 preoperatively to 21.8 ± 9.2 postoperatively (P = .001), and mean AUA score decreased from 26.7 ± 3.9 preoperatively to 7.3 ± 3.8 postoperatively (P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest cBMG as a feasible alternative in 1-stage reconstruction of distal strictures confined to the glanular urethra because the glans penis has a good blood supply, providing an efficient circumferential graft take.

The augmented nontransected anastomotic urethroplasty for the treatment of bulbar urethral strictures

OBJECTIVE

The augmented anastomotic urethroplasty (AAU) combines resection of a urethral stricture and an onlay graft. The augmented nontransected anastomotic urethroplasty (ANTA) is a modification of the AAU and involves complete stricture excision without transecting the spongiosum.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective cohort study comparing ANTA with dorsal onlay buccal grafting (DOBG) for bulbar urethral strictures. Medical records between 2005 and 2010 were reviewed. A cross-sectional questionnaire was used to assess long-term outcomes. Medians and interquartile ranges are reported.

RESULTS

Forty-four men (23 DOBG, 21 ANTA) with a median follow-up of 2.3 years (range 1.2-3.8) were identified. There were no significant differences between ANTA patients and DOBG patients in terms of age, previous treatment, stricture location, or postoperative follow-up. There was no significant difference between groups in the use of bilateral buccal grafts (P = .416); median buccal length harvested was significantly less in the ANTA group (4.5 cm [range 4.0-5.0]) vs the DOBG group (5.0 cm [range 5.0-8.0], P = .047). Response rate to the cross-sectional survey was 59%. Five patients reported postoperative donor site complications, and there were no significant differences between the ANTA and DOBG groups. Overall success was 93% and not statistically different between groups (log rank test, P = .548). One ANTA patient and 2 DOBG patients required posturethroplasty treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

The ANTA has results similar to DOBG and appears to be a viable option in the treatment of bulbar urethral strictures. This technique allows the surgeon to avoid urethral transection, to reconfigure the width of the urethral plate, and to use a smaller buccal graft.

Urethral ultrasound as a screening tool for stricture recurrence after oral mucosa graft urethroplasty

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of sonourethrography (SUG) in combination with voiding pattern analysis to determine success after oral mucosa graft (OMG) urethroplasty. OMG urethroplasty is a standard treatment for men with recurrent urethral stricture. Because of its performance, the optimum follow-up algorithm remains controversial.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Forty-nine patients (mean age 51 years) who underwent OMG urethroplasty were retrospectively identified. All men were subjected to a validated voiding questionnaire (International Prostate Symptom Score [IPSS]), SUG, uroflowmetry, and residual urine measurement. The predictive value was analyzed with regard to stricture recurrence or patency as well as to urethral diameter. Retrograde urethrography was done to confirm the diagnosis.

RESULTS

Strictures were bulbar in 39, penile in 4, and combined in 6 patients. Mean stricture length was 3.8 cm (range 1-10). Mean follow-up after surgery was 35 (range 15-70) months. SUG showed a mean diameter of 7.6 mm for bulbar grafts and 4.6 mm for penile grafts. Stricture recurrence was seen in 4 (8%) patients, yielding a significantly lower urethral width of 2.3 mm (P<.005). Retrograde urethrography confirmed the patency status in all. The average maximum flow rate after successful repair was 36.6 mL/s, whereas those with recurrent strictures showed rates of 11.2 (P<.03). Similar results were achieved for residual urine (P<.05). IPSS values increased from 5.1 to 12.5 in patients with recurrence (P<.01).

CONCLUSION

An algorithm consisting of SUG, uroflowmetry, residual urine and IPSS assessment reliably identifies stricture recurrence. Routine retrograde urethrography may therefore be unnecessary in the follow-up of OMG urethroplasty.

Management of panurethral strictures

INTRODUCTION

Treatment of panurethral stricture is considered a surgical challenge. We searched the literature to present a comprehensive review.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A review of literature was performed using MEDLINE/PubMed database using terms "urethral stricture" and "urethroplasty". Only articles published between 1990 and 2009 and written in English language were included in the review.

RESULTS

The main causes of panurethral strictures are previous catheterization, urethral surgery, and lichen sclerosus. The treatment of each individual case has to be tailored according to the etiology, history of previous urethral surgeries, availability of local tissues for flap harvesting, availability of appropriate donor tissue, and the expertise of the treating surgeon. In patients with complicated strictures, previously failed urethroplasties and in patients with poor quality of urethral plate two-stage surgery is a better option. In all other situations, either a flap or graft urethroplasty or if adequate tissue is not available then combination of flap and graft gives reasonable success rates.

CONCLUSIONS

Panurethral strictures are relatively less common. For successful results, the surgeon should be experienced and should be familiar with all the treatment modalities.

Aptness and complications of labial mucosa grafts for the repair of anterior urethral defects in children and adults: single centre experience with 115 cases

PURPOSE

We report a comprehensive review of our experience with labial mucosa graft urethroplasty to evaluate the indications for this kind of substitution urethroplasty, and the possible complications and risk factors for an untoward recipient site outcome both in children and adults.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Complications were retrospectively assessed by chart review. Patients with and without complications were compared with respect to age at surgery, indication for surgery (epispadias vs. hypospadias vs. urethral stricture), graft length and configuration (tube vs. patch). Moreover, in cases with urethral stricture a comparison was made according to the level of the stricture (penile vs. bulbar).

RESULTS

After a median follow-up of 36 (6–90) months, the overall success rate was 66%. Complications were observed in 39 (34%) patients, of whom 18 (16%) required additional surgical procedures. Complications appeared to be unrelated to patient age at surgery, indication for surgery, graft length, and the urethral level of the stricture. Use of the graft as a tube was the single factor significantly more frequent in patients experiencing complications, particularly in the urethral defects associated with hypospadias where use of a tube corresponded to an odd ratio of 5.86 (95% CI 1.5–23.4).

CONCLUSIONS

Oral grafts harvested from the lower lip are a versatile tissue for the repair of urethral defects associated with either urethral malformations or strictures, both in children and adults. Use of the graft as an on-lay seems preferable particularly in hypospadias repairs.

Two-sided bulbar urethroplasty using dorsal plus ventral oral graft: urinary and sexual outcomes of a new technique

PURPOSE

Repair of bulbar strictures using anastomotic techniques may cause sexual complications, while 1-side graft urethroplasties may not be sufficient to provide an adequate lumen in narrow strictures. We evaluated the urinary and sexual results of a 2-sided dorsal plus ventral graft urethroplasty by preserving the narrow urethral plate in tight strictures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between 2002 and 2010, 105 men with bulbar strictures underwent dorsal plus ventral graft urethroplasty. The results are reported in a homogeneous group of 73 of 105 cases in which buccal mucosa was used as a graft with findings after 1 year or more of followup. The urethra was opened ventrally, and the exposed dorsal urethra was incised in the midline to create a raw area over the tunica albuginea where the first graft was placed dorsal-inlay. Thereafter the urethra was augmented by the ventral-onlay second graft and the spongiosum was closed over itself. Successful urethral reconstruction was defined as normal voiding without the need for any postoperative procedure. Postoperative sexual dysfunction was investigated using a validated questionnaire.

RESULTS

Mean followup was 48.9 months and mean stricture length was 3.3 cm. Of these 73 cases 64 (88%) were successful and 9 (12%) were treatment failures with re-stricture. Furthermore, of 49 of 73 cases who were preoperatively sexually active, none reported postoperative erectile impairment and all were satisfied with their sexual life.

CONCLUSIONS

In cases of tight bulbar stricture the dorsal plus ventral buccal mucosa graft provides adequate urethral augmentation by preserving the urethral plate and avoiding postoperative sexual complications.

A systematic review of graft augmentation urethroplasty techniques for the treatment of anterior urethral strictures

CONTEXT

Reconstructive surgeons who perform urethroplasty have a variety of techniques in their armamentarium that may be used according to factors such as aetiology, stricture position, and length. No one technique is recommended.

OBJECTIVE

Our aim was to assess the reported outcomes of the various techniques for graft augmentation urethroplasty according to site of surgery.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

We performed an updated systematic review of the Medline literature from 1985 to date and classified the data according to the site of surgery and technique used. Data are also presented on the type of graft used and the follow-up methodology used by each centre.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

More than 2000 anterior urethroplasty procedures have been described in the literature. When considering the bulbar urethra there is no significant difference between the average success rates of the dorsal and the ventral onlay procedures, 88.4% and 88.8% at 42.2 and 34.4 mo in 934 and 563 patients, respectively. The lateral onlay technique has only been described in six patients and has a reported success rate of 83% at 77 mo. The Asopa and Palminteri techniques have been described in 89 and 53 patients with a success rate of 86.7% and 90.1% at 28.9 and 21.9 mo, respectively. When considering penile strictures, the success rate of the two-stage penile technique is significantly better than the one-stage penile technique, 90.5% versus 75.7% as calculated for 129 and 432 patients, respectively, although the follow-up of one-stage procedures was longer at 32.8 mo compared with 22.2 mo.

CONCLUSIONS

There is no evidence in the literature of a difference between one-stage techniques for urethroplasty of the bulbar urethra. The two-stage technique has better reported outcomes than a one-stage approach for penile urethroplasty but has a shorter follow-up.

Evaluation of the biocompatibility and mechanical properties of naturally derived and synthetic scaffolds for urethral reconstruction

The aim of this study was to evaluate the mechanical properties and biocompatibility of biomaterials, including bladder submucosa (BAMG), small intestinal submucosa (SIS), acellular corpus spongiosum matrix (ACSM), and polyglycolic acid (PGA), to identify the optimal scaffold for urethral tissue engineering. Tensile mechanical testing was conducted to evaluate mechanical properties of each scaffold. Rabbit corporal smooth muscle cells were cultured with the extracts of biomaterials and mitochondrial metabolic activity assay was used to determine the cytotoxicity of scaffold. The pore sizes of each scaffold were measured. Additionally, smooth muscle cells were seeded on biomaterials. Cell infiltration was evaluated. Mechanical evaluation showed that Young modulus, stress at break in ACSM were prior to those in other biomaterials (p < 0.05). MTT assay confirmed that all scaffolds supported normal cellular mitochondrial metabolic without inducing cytotoxic events. SEM demonstrated that PGA has the largest pore size (>200 microm). The ACSM has different pore sizes in urethral (<5 microm) and cavernosal surfaces (>10 microm). Widespread distribution of cells could be observed in PGA 14 days after seeding. Multilayer cellular coverage developed in BAMG and urethral surface of ACSM without any sign of cellular invasion. Moderated cellular penetration could be found in SIS and cavernosal surface of ACSM. Although each scaffold demonstrated suitable mechanical properties, which is similar to normal urethra, ACSM showed better response in some parameters than those in other biomaterials. It suggested that this scaffold may be an alternative for urethral reconstruction in the future. (c) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2010.

[Oral mucosa graft urethroplasty for complicated urethral strictures]

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated the efficacy and outcome of one-stage oral mucosa graft urethroplasty, which is currently the procedure of choice for treating lengthy and complicated urethral strictures not amenable to excision and primary end-to-end anastomosis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Seven patients 33 to 74 years old (mean age = 53.7) underwent one-stage oral mucosa graft urethroplasty for a stricture in either the bulbar urethra (four patients), penile urethra (two patients), or pan-anterior urethra (one patient). Three of the strictures were due to trauma, one was due to inflammation, and one was due to a failed hypospadia repair. The other two were iatrogenic. All patients had previously undergone either internal urethrotomy or repeated urethral dilation. Three patients received a tube graft, three received a ventral onlay, and one received a dorsal onlay. A free graft of oral mucosa was harvested from the inside of each patient's left cheek, and if necessary to obtain a sufficient length, the harvest was extended to include mucosa from the lower lip and the right cheek. The graft lengths ranged from 2.5 to 12 cm (mean = 4.6 cm). A urethral catheter was left in place for 3 weeks postoperatively.

RESULTS

While no severe complications at the donor site were observed during follow-up periods ranging from 3 to 55 months (mean = 14 months), two patients who had received a tube graft developed distal anastomotic ring strictures that were managed by internal urethrotomy. The other five required no postoperative urological procedure even though one who had received a ventral onlay developed a penoscrotal fistula.

CONCLUSION

Oral mucosa is an ideal urethral graft, and oral mucosa graft urethroplasty is an effective procedure for repairing complicated urethral strictures involving long portions of the urethra.

Surgical reconstruction of the male urethral diverticulum

OBJECTIVES

To describe the outcomes and reconstructive techniques used for men with symptomatic urethral diverticula in an attempt to standardize treatment based on the length of the urethral defect after diverticulum excision and the type of repair used. Urethral diverticula are rare in men and may be either congenital or acquired.

METHODS

Between 2003 and 2008, 13 men were treated surgically for symptomatic urethral diverticula at a single institution by a single surgeon (C.M.G.). A total of 6 (46.2%) patients had urethral defects of < 4 cm and underwent excision of the diverticulum with primary anastomosis. Substitution urethroplasty using either penile skin or buccal mucosa was used in 7 (53.8%) patients with urethral defects of >or= 4 cm. Demographic and preoperative characteristics were compared among patients according to the length of the urethral defect.

RESULTS

The mean age of men at the time of surgery was 38.4 years (+/- 13.0; range, 20.4-63.7), with a median follow-up time of 21.7 (+/- 29.0; range, 0.9-84.0) months. Neither age at the time of surgery, length of follow-up, or diverticulum volume was significantly different between men who underwent primary repair vs substitution urethroplasty. The overall success rate was 92% (12/13) with an overall complication rate of 42% at intermediate follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Outcomes after excision and primary anastomosis for diverticula associated with defects of < 4 cm were similar to outcomes after diverticulum excision and substitution urethroplasty for defect of >or= 4 cm.