Distal urethroplasty for fossa navicularis and meatal strictures

Ventral onlay glanuloplasty for treatment of fossa navicularis strictures

Purpose:

Management of fossa navicularis (FN) strictures balances restoring urethral patency with adequate cosmesis. Historically, FN strictures are managed via glans cap or glans wings, and in severe cases, multi-stage procedures. Ventral onlay glanuloplasty (VOG) is an easily reproducible technique that involves a single-stage augmentation with buccal mucosal graft. We have been applying this technique for several years and present early promising outcomes of this novel approach.

Materials and Methods:

We retrospectively reviewed all patients with FN strictures who underwent VOG at our institution. Treatment success was designated by the absence of extravasation on voiding cystourethrogram and no need for further urethral instrumentation on follow up. Glans cosmesis was assessed by patients providing binary (yes/no) response to the satisfaction in their appearance. We also noted stricture length, stricture etiology, demographic characteristics and any post-operative complications and reported median, interquartile range (IQR) and count, frequency (%), accordingly.

Results:

Ten patients underwent VOG and fit our inclusion criteria. Median stricture length was 2.0 cm (IQR 1.6 -2). Success rate was 90% (9/10) with a median follow up of 30 months (IQR 24.3 – 36.8). The one recurrence was treated by dilation combined with triamcinolone injection at 419 days post-op. Stricture etiology included primarily iatrogenic causes such as transurethral prostate resection (4/10), greenlight laser vaporization (2/10), cystolitholapaxy (1/10), and traumatic catheterization (3/10). All patients were satisfied with penile cosmesis.

Conclusion:

VOG is a simple technique for treating FN strictures. Based on our preliminary series, VOG provides sustained distal urethral patency and patients are pleased with the appearance.

Transurethral reconstruction of fossa navicularis strictures with dorsal inlay buccal mucosa graft urethroplasty

PURPOSE

To describe a single stage, glans-sparing urethroplasty technique for fossa navicularis strictures using a transurethral dorsal inlay buccal mucosa graft.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of a prospectively maintained urethral stricture database to identify all fossa navicularis strictures reconstructed with a single stage, transurethral dorsal inlay buccal mucosa graft urethroplasty (5/2015-6/2020). Primary outcomes were anatomic success, defined as the ability to pass a 17 Fr flexible cystoscope, and functional success, defined as the lack of obstructive voiding symptoms and no need for further procedures. Secondary outcomes were postoperative complications and patient satisfaction.

RESULTS

Sixteen patients were included. Mean age was 63.1 years (43.9-75.6) and mean stricture length was 1.7 cm (1.4-2.0). Stricture etiology included internal trauma (62.5%), idiopathic (25.0%), and lichen sclerosus (12.5%). Prior endoscopic procedures were done in 75% of patients. Over a median follow-up of 28.8 months (IQR 17.6-38.0), anatomic success was 15/16 (93.8%) and functional success was 16/16 (100%). The single anatomic recurrence was at 4.2 months postoperatively. No additional procedures were required. Urinary tract infection occurred in 25% (4/16). There were no instances of de novo erectile dysfunction, chordee, or wound infection. All patients would recommend urethroplasty to others and all patients were either very satisfied (83.3%) or satisfied (16.7%) with the procedure. Penile sensitivity was unchanged in 83.3%, increased in 8.3% and decreased in 8.3%.

CONCLUSION

Transurethral dorsal inlay buccal mucosa graft urethroplasty is a viable option for reconstruction of fossa navicularis strictures that avoids splitting the glans and results in excellent cosmesis.

Historical and Current Practices in the Management of Fossa Navicularis Strictures

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Fossa navicularis strictures represent a surgically challenging disease process that requires detailed preoperative planning and an understanding of each patient's goals in order to achieve a satisfactory long-term outcome. This review summarizes the various approaches used in the management of fossa navicularis strictures over the past several decades.

RECENT FINDINGS

In addition to existing evidence to support open flap- and graft-based reconstruction, recent studies suggest a potential role for limited open repair via a transurethral approach. Open repair of fossa navicularis strictures has become the standard of care with high success rates using local skin flaps or tissue grafts. There remains a very limited role for minimally invasive techniques in definitive management of this disease.

[Meatal and glandular urethral strictures]

Distal urethral strictures comprise meatal or glandular stenoses and occur due to trauma, iatrogenic instrumentalization, infection, skin diseases such as lichen sclerosus or idiopathically. Given that 18% of anterior strictures (bulbar, penile, or glandular) are located in the very distal part, meatal/glandular stricture disease represents a non-negligible subgroup among all urethral strictures. The prevalence within Western industrialized countries is estimated to be approximately 0.6-0.9%, which translates into a total of 250,000 men being affected in Germany. Without any therapy, there is a severe risk of functional damage to the kidneys and the remaining urinary tract as well as significant reduction of quality of life. The therapeutic success of regaining sufficient micturition and a satisfying cosmetic result can only be obtained by means of surgical intervention. Besides dilatation and urethrotomy, preferably a single or multiple staged open urethroplasty with transplantation of autogenous genital or non-genital tissue can be performed. The choice of the appropriate surgical concept depends on stricture etiology, comorbidity status, and the patient's compliance. In case of histologically diagnosed lichen sclerosus, the use of genital skin should be avoided. To date, there are no universally accepted recommendations regarding the optimal use of substitution techniques. However, the use of oral mucosal tissue grafts seem to be the most promising, given low recurrence rates, and thus can be considered as the current gold standard.

Transurethral ventral buccal mucosa graft inlay urethroplasty for reconstruction of fossa navicularis and distal urethral strictures: surgical technique and preliminary results

OBJECTIVES

To introduce a novel surgical technique for the reconstruction of distal urethral strictures using buccal mucosal graft (BMG) through a transurethral approach.

METHODS

A retrospective institution chart review was conducted of all the patients who underwent a transurethral ventral BMG inlay urethroplasty from March 2014 to March 2016. Patients with greater than one-year follow-up were included. Steps of the procedure: transurethral ventral wedge resection of the stenosed segment and transurethral delivery and spread fixation of appropriate BMG inlay into the resultant urethrotomy. The patients were followed for post-operative complications and stricture recurrence with uroflow, PVR, cystoscopy and outcome questionnaires.

RESULTS

Three patients with a minimum of 12-month follow-up are included in this case series. The mean age of the patients was 42 years (35-53); mean stricture length was 2.1 cm (1-4). All patients had at least 2 previous failed procedures. Mean follow-up was 18 months (12-24). There were no stricture recurrences or fistula. Mean pre- and post-operative uroflow values were 4.3 (0-8) and 19 (16-26), respectively. Neither penile chordee nor changes in sexual function were noted in patients on follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Transurethral ventral BMG inlay urethroplasty is a feasible option for treatment of fossa navicularis strictures. This single-stage technique allows for avoiding skin incision or urethral mobilization. It helps to prevent glans dehiscence, fistula formation and avoids the use of genital skin flaps in all patients, especially those affected with LS. This novel surgical technique is an effective treatment alternative for men with distal urethral strictures.