Q-flap reconstruction of panurethral strictures

One-Sided Dorsal Onlay Urethroplasty With Penile Invagination (Kulkarni Urethroplasty) for Complex Anterior Urethral Strictures: A Single-Center Experience

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate surgical outcomes and patient-reported outcomes of one-sided dorsal onlay urethroplasty with penile invagination, so-called Kulkarni urethroplasty, in male patients with complex anterior urethral strictures, including pan-anterior and peno-bulbar urethral strictures.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 39 consecutive male patients who underwent Kulkarni urethroplasty between 2016 and 2024. Through a perineal approach, one-sided urethral mobilization was performed with penile invagination to access the entire anterior urethra. Oral mucosa graft (OMG) or penile skin graft (PSG) was used as the urethral substitute. Success was defined as passing flexible cystoscopy without resistance and voiding without additional interventions. Patient-reported outcomes were assessed using the urethral stricture surgery patient-reported outcome measure (USS-PROM), Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM), and EuroQol-5 dimensions (EQ-5D) questionnaires. Follow-up evaluations were conducted at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively and then annually.

RESULTS

The median stricture length was 44 mm (IQR 27-84). At a median follow-up of 12 months (IQR 6-34), the overall success rate was 89.7% (80.0% for OMG and 95.8% for PSG). Significant improvements were observed in maximum flow rate, post-void residual volume, lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) score, LUTS-related quality of life, EQ-5D score, and EQ-visual analog scale (all p < 0.001). SHIM scores remained unchanged, indicating preserved erectile function. Two (5.2%) experienced grade 2 donor-site complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Kulkarni urethroplasty demonstrates excellent surgical outcomes and significant improvements in patient-reported outcomes for complex anterior urethral strictures while preserving erectile function. Both OMG and PSG appear to be viable options for this procedure.

Graft Plus Fasciocutaneous Penile Flap for Nearly or Completely Obliterated Long Bulbar and Penobulbar Strictures

Background

Graft plus flap urethroplasty is gaining momentum in patients with nearly or completely obliterated urethral strictures, in whom staged procedures or perineal urethrostomy is the only possible alternative. However, graft plus flap urethroplasty is mainly adopted for strictures involving the penile urethra.

Objective

To report our experience on graft plus flap urethroplasty for bulbar and penobulbar reconstruction.

Design, setting, and participants

Between January 2014 and June 2020, patients with nearly or completely obliterated long (>4 cm) bulbar or penobulbar strictures, who required graft plus flap urethroplasty, were considered for this study.

Surgical procedure

The bulbar and the penile urethra were accessed through a perineal incision and penile invagination when required. Grafts were harvested from cheek, lingual, or preputial skin and quilted over the corpora to reconstruct the dorsal plate of the neourethra. The fasciocutaneous penile flap recreated the ventral plate of the neourethra. The corpus spongiosum was flapped over the neourethra to prevent the formation of diverticula.

Measurements

Any need for instrumentation after surgery was defined as the primary failure. Obstructive symptoms or maximum flow rate (Qmax) below 10 ml/s, with or without a need for instrumentation, was defined as a secondary failure.

Results and limitations

We identified 15 patients who met the inclusion criteria. The median stricture length was 7 cm (interquartile range [IQR] 5–8 cm). The inner cheek was the preferred site for graft harvesting (53.3%). No perioperative complication of Clavien-Dindo grade ≥III were recorded in the first 30 postoperative days. The median Qmax at catheter removal was 23 ml/min (IQR 21.5–26 ml/min). The median follow-up was 25 mo (IQR 10–30 mo). The primary success rate was 86.7% (13/15) and the secondary success rate was 73.3% (11/15). Post-traumatic strictures represent a contraindication for this technique.

Conclusions

In referral centers, graft plus flap urethroplasty represents a feasible option for patients with nearly or completely obliterated long (>4 cm) strictures. Our study demonstrated that this option is also feasible for strictures involving mainly the bulbar urethra.

Patient summary

Perineal urethrostomy should be considered as the last option in patients with a nearly or completely obliterated bulbar urethral stricture. Nowadays, graft plus fasciocutaneous penile flap augmentation enriched our armamentarium of bulbar urethra reconstruction.

Dorsal Onlay Oral Mucosa Graft Urethroplasty: A Case Report and Review of Literature

The use of buccal mucosa grafts in urethral reconstruction for complex anterior urethral strictures has gained popularity over the years with very good outcomes reported in literature. We report on the successful repair of a complex anterior urethral stricture in a 14-year-old boy following catheterization using this method at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. The aim is to describe the method of dorsal onlay oral mucosa graft urethroplasty and to review the literature.

The outcomes of Kulkarni's one-stage oral mucosa graft urethroplasty in patients with panurethral stricture: a single centre experience

PURPOSE

To present the results of our one-stage oral mucosa graft urethroplasty series for panurethral strictures.

METHODS

We included the first 35 patients who had one stage oral mucosa graft urethroplasty with one side dissection of the urethra which was described by Kulkarni, between January 2015 and June 2018 and had at least 6 months follow-up. From the first case, all data were recorded prospectively and patient age, etiology of the stricture, comorbidities, previous treatments, postoperative maximal flow rate, pre and post-operative erectile function, perioperative and postoperative complications and quality of life questionnaire for this study.

RESULTS

The mean patient age was 58.8 and mean stricture length was 13.6 (10-16) cm. Patients had previously 1-17 procedures. Patients had a mean peak flow rate of 25.4 ml/sec at the first postoperative visit. During the follow-up period, six patients had recurrence and managed with urethral dilation (1), direct vision internal urethrotomy (2), meatoplasty (1) and re-urethroplasty (2). The responses to the questions about satisfaction from the surgery showed that 31 (88.6%) patients were satisfied with the surgery, 33 (94.3%) would prefer this procedure again, if needed, and 31 (88.6%) patients recommended this procedure to others. When patients were grouped according to age, recurrence rate was 35.7% in patients older than 65 years and 4.8% in patients ≤ 65 years old.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed that Kulkarni's one-stage oral mucosa graft urethroplasty technique has a high success rate. The patient satisfaction is high because of the good functional outcomes and low complication rate.

Twin penile skin flap, is it the answer for repair of long anterior urethral strictures?

Objective

To present our twin ventral penile skin flap technique for the management of complex long anterior urethral strictures not caused by lichen sclerosis (LS), with evaluation of surgical outcome and complications.

Patients and methods

We retrospectively reviewed patients diagnosed with long complex anterior urethral strictures who were all referred to Ain Shams University hospital and operated on by three reconstructive surgeons. The surgical procedure was carried out as follows: exposure of the urethra through a ventral longitudinal penile skin incision and another perineal incision; two ventral longitudinal dartos-based penile skin flaps are used for urethral augmentation as onlay flaps. Clinical data were collected in a dedicated database. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative follow-up data for each patient were recorded and analysed. A descriptive data analysis was performed.

Results

Between January 2012 and February 2015, 47 patients diagnosed by urethrograms as having long anterior urethral strictures, with a mean (SD, range) length of 17.56 (2.09; 14-21) cm, were managed by twin penile skin flap repair. Four patients were lost to follow-up, thus 43 patients constituted the study cohort. The mean (range) follow-up period was 31 (22-36) months. The overall success rate was 95.35% (41/43). At 12-months postoperatively, the 41 successful cases had a mean (SD, range) peak urinary flow rate of 20.26 (3.06, 14-25) mL/s and American Urological Association Symptom Score of 5.6 (1.85, 3-8). Postoperative complications included urethrocutaneous fistula in three patients (6.97%), mild sacculation of the flap in seven patients (16.52%), post-micturition dribbling in 34 patients (79.07%), decreased penile girth in two patients (4.65%), and chordae of <15° with no need for repair in three patients (6.97%).

Conclusions

In the presence of a favourable urethral plate and ample non-hirsute penile skin, one-stage twin penile skin flap urethroplasty provides excellent results for non-LS related complex strictures, with minimal acceptable complications. It proved to be especially efficient in circumcised patients.

Clinical and Patient-reported Outcomes of 1-sided Anterior Urethroplasty for Long-segment or Panurethral Strictures

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate clinical and patient-reported urinary and sexual outcomes after a long-segment stricture repair using the 1-sided urethral dissection, penile invagination, and dorsal buccal mucosa graft onlay technique described by Kulkarni et al.

METHODS

Patients from 4 institutions after single-stage repairs for long-segment urethral strictures (>8 cm) from January 2002 to April 2016 were reviewed. Technique described by Kulkarni et al was used in all cases. Clinical outcomes included uroflowmetry (Qmax) and post-void residuals. Patient-reported outcome measures included International Prostate Symptom Score survey, Sexual Health Inventory for Men, Male Sexual Health Questionnaire, and Global Response Assessment questionnaire to measure voiding, sexual, ejaculatory symptoms, and overall improvement, respectively.

RESULTS

Seventy-three patients with a minimum of 12 months' follow-up were included. The mean age and stricture length were 56 (21-80) years and 13.6 (8-21) cm, respectively. At a mean follow-up of 44 (12-162) months, 9 of 73 (12%) strictures recurred. The mean baseline International Prostate Symptom Score of 23 (7-24) decreased to 10 (1-17) on follow-up (P <.001). Eight of 42 patients (21.4%) reported an increase, and 6 of 42 patients (14.3%) decreased in Sexual Health Inventory for Men following urethroplasty. Ejaculatory function on Male Sexual Health Questionnaire improved after urethroplasty from 8 preoperatively to 11 postoperatively (P <.004). All patients reported improvement after urethroplasty on Global Response Assessment questionnaire. Post-void dribbling and chordee occurred in 45% and 25% of patients, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Durable patency in most patients is demonstrated in this study. PROMs indicate an improvement in urinary function and moderate effect on sexual function. Transient penile chordee was evident in 25% of patients.

Single-Staged Improved Tubularized Preputial/Penile Skin Flap Urethroplasty for Obliterated Anterior Urethral Stricture: Long-Term Results

INTRODUCTION

To present an improved tubularized flap (ITF) technique and report the outcome of single-stage urethroplasty using preputial/penile skin flaps (PSFs) for the treatment of obliterative anterior urethral strictures (AUSs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From January 2000 to June 2012, 42 cases of obliterative AUS (3-14 cm, mean 6.38 cm) with urethral plate unsalvageable were treated using PSF-ITF urethroplasty including longitudinal skin flap, circular island flap, L-flap, Q-flap. Patients were divided into 3 groups: pendulous urethral stricture (Group A), bulbar urethral stricture (Group B) and panurethral strictures (Group C). Patients were followed up by uroflowmetry, urethrography and ureteroscope when necessary.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up in these patients was 65 months (range 36 months-15 years). The primary success rates at 3-year follow-up were 75, 75 and 60% for Groups A, B and C, respectively. The overall success rates were 85, 83 and 70% with the remedial measure of a single visual internal urethrotomy at 3-year follow-up. A total 60% of the patients in the study completed more than 5 years of follow-up with no additional recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Improved tubularized preputial/PSF urethroplasty with relatively high overall satisfaction is a novel technique for treatment of AUS when there is inadequate urethral plate or obliterative defects.

Management of Long-Segment and Panurethral Stricture Disease

Long-segment urethral stricture or panurethral stricture disease, involving the different anatomic segments of anterior urethra, is a relatively less common lesion of the anterior urethra compared to bulbar stricture. However, it is a particularly difficult surgical challenge for the reconstructive urologist. The etiology varies according to age and geographic location, lichen sclerosus being the most prevalent in some regions of the globe. Other common and significant causes are previous endoscopic urethral manipulations (urethral catheterization, cystourethroscopy, and transurethral resection), previous urethral surgery, trauma, inflammation, and idiopathic. The iatrogenic causes are the most predominant in the Western or industrialized countries, and lichen sclerosus is the most common in India. Several surgical procedures and their modifications, including those performed in one or more stages and with the use of adjunct tissue transfer maneuvers, have been developed and used worldwide, with varying long-term success. A one-stage, minimally invasive technique approached through a single perineal incision has gained widespread popularity for its effectiveness and reproducibility. Nonetheless, for a successful result, the reconstructive urologist should be experienced and familiar with the different treatment modalities currently available and select the best procedure for the individual patient.

Current management of urethral stricture

The surgical treatment of urethral stricture diseases is continually evolving. Although various surgical techniques are available for the treatment of anterior urethral stricture, no one technique has been identified as the method of choice. This article provides a brief updated review of the surgical options for the management of different sites and different types of anterior urethral stricture. This review also covers present controversies in urethral reconstruction. Among the various procedures available for treating urethral stricture, one-stage buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty is currently widely used. The choice of technique for urethroplasty for an individual case largely depends on the expertise of the surgeon. Therefore, urologists working in this field should keep themselves updated on the numerous surgical techniques to deal with any condition of the urethra that might surface at the time of surgery.

Management of panurethral stricture disease in India

PURPOSE

Panurethral stricture involving the penile and bulbar urethra is a common urological problem on the South Asian subcontinent. It represents a particularly difficult challenge to manage and there is a relative paucity of literature on the subject. In India lichen sclerosus is the most common etiology of panurethral stricture, followed by iatrogenic causes. We present our experience with panurethral stricture repair using 1-stage, 1-side dissection dorsal onlay repair with oral mucosa grafts.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the records of 117 consecutive men who underwent treatment for panurethral stricture from June 1998 to December 2010. Median patient age was 47.8 years, mean stricture length was 14 cm and median followup was 59 months. The stricture was approached through a perineal incision, limiting dissection to only 1 side of the urethra. The penis was invaginated to provide access to the entire length of anterior urethra in 1 stage. Two oral mucosal grafts were placed dorsally.

RESULTS

The outcome was considered a success if the patient required no further instrumentation, including dilation or urethrotomy. The overall success rate was 83.7% with a success rate of 86.5% for primary urethroplasty and 61.5% in patients in whom urethroplasty had previously failed. Most recurrent strictures developed at the proximal end of the graft.

CONCLUSIONS

Repair of panurethral stricture in 1 stage with 1-side dissection and dorsal onlay of oral mucosa graft is a minimally invasive technique that is simple, fast, safe, effective and reproducible by any surgeon.

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.

Combined buccal mucosa graft and genital skin flap for reconstruction of extensive anterior urethral strictures

OBJECTIVES

Buccal mucosa has become the graft material of choice for substitution urethroplasty, but the tissue may be insufficient to completely reconstruct an extensive or panurethral stricture. We reviewed our experience with the combination of buccal mucosa and a genital skin flap to assess the efficacy of this approach in this setting.

METHODS

Eighteen patients underwent single-stage urethral reconstruction at our institution from November 1997 to May 2003 using a buccal mucosa onlay graft and a penile and/or scrotal island flap. After surgery, patients were evaluated with voiding urethrography at 3 weeks, followed by flexible cystoscopy at 6 and 12 months and as needed thereafter.

RESULTS

The mean stricture length was 15.1 cm (range 9.5 to 22), with an average graft length of 6.3 cm and flap of 8.5 cm. The stricture etiology included multiple hypospadias repair failures in 4 (22.2%), prior instrumentation in 4 (22.2%), pelvic trauma in 3 (16.7%), balanitis xerotica obliterans in 3 (16.7%), and unknown in 4 (22.2%) of the 18 patients. At the last follow-up visit, 3 patients (16.7%) had had recurrent stricture noted on follow-up cystoscopy.

CONCLUSIONS

In this series, the combination of buccal mucosa and a genital skin flap proved to be a reliable and durable method of single-stage repair for extensive and panurethral stricture disease. The use of longitudinal island flaps and patient repositioning during surgery seemed to contribute to a decreased incidence of local and systemic morbidity.

Extended complications of urethroplasty

INTRODUCTION

An extensive study of complications following urethroplasty has never been published. We present 60 urethroplasty patients who were specifically questioned to determine every possible early and late complication.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective chart review of urethroplasty patients between August 2000 and March 2004. An "open format" questioning style allowed maximal patient reporting of all complications, no matter how minor.

RESULTS

60 patients underwent 62 urethroplasties (24 anterior anastomotic, 19 buccal mucosal and 10 fasciocutaneous, 9 posterior anastomotic) with mean follow-up of 29 months. Early complications occurred in 40%, but only 3% were major (rectal injury and urosepsis). Early minor complications included scrotal swelling, scrotal ecchymosis and urinary urgency. Late complications occurred in 48%, but only 18% were significant (erectile dysfunction, chordee and fistula). Late minor complications included a feeling of wound tightness, scrotal numbness and urine spraying. Fasciocutaneous urethroplasty caused the most significant complications, and buccal mucus urethroplasty the least, while also resulting in the lowest recurrence rate (0%).

CONCLUSIONS

Serious complications after urethroplasty (3% early and 18% late) appear similar to those reported elsewhere, but minor bothersome complications appear to occur in much higher numbers than previously published (39% early and 40% late). While all the early complications were resolved and most (97%) were minor, less than half of the late complications were resolved, although most (82%) were minor. These complication rates should be considered when counseling the urethroplasty patients, and generally tend to support the use of buccal mucosal onlay urethroplasty as it had the lowest rate of serious side effects.

Buccal mucosal urethroplasty for balanitis xerotica obliterans related urethral strictures: the outcome of 1 and 2-stage techniques

PURPOSE

Balanitis xerotica obliterans (BXO) related strictures are complex and generally managed by 2-staged urethroplasty. We present our results with 1-stage dorsal onlay and 2-stage buccal mucosal urethroplasty for such strictures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between January 2000 and April 2004, 39 patients underwent buccal mucosal urethroplasty for BXO related anterior urethral strictures. The 25 patients with a salvageable urethral plate (group 1) were treated with 1-stage dorsal onlay urethroplasty using a cosmetic incision. The 14 patients with a severely scarred urethral plate, focally dense segments or active infection (group 2) underwent 2-stage urethroplasty. Outcomes in terms of cosmetic appearance, stricture recurrence and complications in the 2 groups were assessed.

RESULTS

At a mean followup of 32.5 months (range 3 to 52) 3 patients (12%) in group 1 had recurrent stricture, of which 2 and 1 were treated with optical urethrotomy and urethral dilation, respectively. All patients had a normal slit-like meatus and none had chordee or erectile dysfunction. Four group 2 patients (28.6%) required stomal revision and 2 had glans cleft narrowing after stage 1 urethroplasty. Following stage 2, 3 patients had recurrent stricture, of whom 2 were treated with optical urethrotomy and 1 underwent repeat urethroplasty.

CONCLUSIONS

In BXO related strictures with a viable urethral plate 1-stage dorsal onlay buccal mucosal urethroplasty provides excellent intermediate term results. The cosmetic incision described provides a normal, wide caliber, slit-like glans. Two-stage procedures provide satisfactory outcomes but they are associated with a higher revision rate.

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.

Which urethroplasty for which results?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Urethral surgery is rapidly changing because of developments in techniques. The aim of this paper is to provide an update and a review of the most significant surgical options and their outcomes in the treatment of urethral strictures.

RECENT FINDINGS

Indications and results of anastomotic repair, pedicled flap, free graft and complex urethral reconstruction are reported. New trends such as dorsal urethroplasty and the use of buccal mucosa are reviewed.

SUMMARY

Most urethral strictures can be managed successfully by urethral surgery. A wide spectrum of effective procedures is available. To obtain optimal results, adequate knowledge and experience of the most common techniques are required.