Repair-oriented categorization of circumcision urethral injury in Benin city, Nigeria

A three-step repair of post circumcision coronal fistula: A glans flap, urethral closure, and dartos flap interposition

PURPOSE

To evaluate the outcomes of patients who underwent a post-circumcision coronal fistula repair by means of a three-step repair technique: glans flap, urethral closure, and dartos flap interposition.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the outcomes of 23 patients with postcircumcision urethrocutaneous fistulas who were treated at our institution between January of 2014 and December of 2018. The patients included in this review had exclusively a coronal fistula with an adequate glans bridge between the fistula and the urethral meatus and underwent surgical repair at least 6 months after the initial injury. We excluded from the study patients who had multiple level fistulas, glans dehiscence and patients that were lost to follow-up less than 6 months post fistula repair.

RESULTS

The median age at the time of the repair was 9.2 (range: 6.3 to 31) months. The fistulas were classified according to their size as small (ranging from pinpoint to ≤4 mm; n = 19) or large (>4 mm; n = 4). The overall success rate was 87% (20 of 23 patients). The success rates for the small and the large fistulas were 94.7% (18 of 19) and 50% (2 of 4), respectively. An indwelling urethral stent was used in all patients, except in those with pinpoint fistulas. The mean follow-up was 19.9 (6-60) months.

CONCLUSIONS

Post-circumcision coronal urethrocutaneous fistulas less or equal to 4 mm in diameter without glans dehiscence can be successfully repaired using a three-step repair technique, with a recurrence rate of less than 6%. For larger fistulas, a formal urethroplasty is recommended due to high recurrence rate of the three-step repair technique.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Case Series (Level IV).

Urethrocutaneous fistulas after voluntary medical male circumcision for HIV prevention-15 African Countries, 2015-2019

Background

Voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) is an HIV prevention strategy recommended to partially protect men from heterosexually acquired HIV. From 2015 to 2019, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has supported approximately 14.9 million VMMCs in 15 African countries. Urethrocutaneous fistulas, abnormal openings between the urethra and penile skin through which urine can escape, are rare, severe adverse events (AEs) that can occur with VMMC. This analysis describes fistula cases, identifies possible risks and mechanisms of injury, and offers mitigation actions.

Methods

Demographic and clinical program data were reviewed from all reported fistula cases during 2015 to 2019, descriptive analyses were performed, and an odds ratio was calculated by patient age group.

Results

In total, 41 fistula cases were reported. Median patient age for fistula cases was 11 years and 40/41 (98%) occurred in patients aged < 15 years. Fistulas were more often reported among patients < 15 compared to ≥ 15 years old (0.61 vs. 0.01 fistulas per 100,000 VMMCs, odds ratio 50.9 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 8.6–2060.0)). Median time from VMMC surgery to appearance of fistula was 20 days (interquartile range (IQR) 14–27).

Conclusions

Urethral fistulas were significantly more common in patients under age 15 years. Thinner tissue overlying the urethra in immature genitalia may predispose boys to injury. The delay between procedure and symptom onset of 2–3 weeks indicates partial thickness injury or suture violation of the urethral wall as more likely mechanisms of injury than intra-operative urethral transection. This analysis helped to inform PEPFAR’s recent decision to change VMMC eligibility policy in 2020, raising the minimum age to 15 years.