A comparative study of two single-stage oral mucosal substitution urethroplasty (Kulkarni and Asopa) in the surgical treatments of lichen sclerosus urethral strictures / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

Long-segment lichen sclerosus (LS) urethral stricture is a challenge for urologists. Limited data are available for surgeons to make a surgical decision between Kulkarni and Asopa urethroplasty. In this retrospective study, we investigated the outcomes of these two procedures in patients with LS urethral stricture. Between January 2015 and December 2020, 77 patients with LS urethral stricture underwent Kulkarni and Asopa procedures for urethroplasty in the Department of Urology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (Shanghai, China). Of the 77 patients, 42 (54.5%) underwent the Asopa procedure and 35 (45.5%) underwent the Kulkarni procedure. The overall complication rate was 34.2% in the Kulkarni group and 19.0% in the Asopa group, and no difference was observed ( P = 0.105). Among the complications, no statistical difference was observed in the incidence of urethral stricture recurrence ( P = 0.724) or glans dehiscence ( P = 0.246) except for postoperative meatus stenosis ( P = 0.020). However, the recurrence-free survival rate between the two procedures was significantly different ( P = 0.016). Cox survival analysis showed that antiplatelet/anticoagulant therapy use ( P = 0.020), diabetes ( P = 0.003), current/former smoking ( P = 0.019), coronary heart disease ( P < 0.001), and stricture length ( P = 0.028) may lead to a higher hazard ratio of complications. Even so, these two techniques can still provide acceptable results with their own advantages in the surgical treatment of LS urethral strictures. The surgical alternative should be considered comprehensively according to the patient characteristics and surgeon preferences. Moreover, our results showed that antiplatelet/anticoagulant therapy use, diabetes, coronary heart disease, current/former smoking, and stricture length may be contributing factors of complications. Therefore, patients with LS are advised to undergo early interventions for better therapeutic effects.

Factors predicting the development of urethral stricture after bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the rate of urethral stricture development, predictor factors, and the reliability following bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate. METHODS: A total of 124 patients participated in this study. Patient data were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into group 1 (those who developed urethral stricture) and group 2 (those who did not develop urethral stricture). Annual checkups were performed after the postoperative months 1 and 6. The patients were checked by uroflowmetry + post-voiding residue and international index of erectile function. We evaluated the complications that developed during the perioperative period according to the Clavien system. RESULTS: Urethral stricture developed in 10.5% (13/124) of the patients. It was found that patients who underwent transurethral resection of the prostate for the second time (p=0.007), patients with a preoperative catheter or history of catheter insertion (p=0.009), patients with high preoperative median white blood cell (103) counts (p=0.013), and patients with long postoperative catheterization time had a higher rate of urethral stricture after bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate (p=0.046). No grade 4 and grade 5 complications were observed according to the Clavien system in patients. CONCLUSION: Factors such as second transurethral resection of the prostate surgery, history of preoperative catheter insertion, high postoperative white blood cell count, and long postoperative catheterization time increase the risk of urethral stricture after bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate.

The effect of proliferative hypertrophic scars on determining treatment options for preventing recurrence of vesicourethral anastomotic stenosis after radical prostatectomy: a single-center cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Vesicourethral anastomotic stenosis (VUAS) following retropubic radical prostatectomy (RRP) significantly worsens quality of life. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between proliferative hypertrophic scar formation and VUAS, and predict more appropriate surgical intervention for preventing recurrent VUAS. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective cross-sectional single-center study on data covering January 2009 to December 2019. METHODS: Among 573 male patients who underwent RRP due to prostate cancer, 80 with VUAS were included. They were divided into two groups according to VUAS treatment method: dilatation using Amplatz renal dilators (39 patients); or endoscopic bladder neck incision/resection (41 patients). The Vancouver scar scale (VSS) was used to evaluate the characteristics of scars that occurred for any reason before development of VUAS. RESULTS: Over a median follow-up of 72 months (range 12-105) after RRP, 17 patients (21.3%) had recurrence of VUAS. Although the treatment success rates were similar (79.5% versus 78.0%; P = 0.875), receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis indicated that dilatation using Amplatz dilators rather than endoscopic bladder neck incision/resection in patients with VSS scores 4, 5 and 6 may significantly reduce VUAS recurrence. A strong positive relationship was observed between VSS and total number of VUAS occurrences (r: 0.689; P < 0.001). VSS score (odds ratio, OR: 5.380; P < 0.001) and time until occurrence of VUAS (OR: 1.628; P = 0.008) were the most significant predictors for VUAS recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: VSS score can be used as a prediction tool for choosing more appropriate surgical intervention, for preventing recurrent VUAS.

Surgical treatment of bulbar urethral strictures: tips and tricks

ABSTRACT The surgical treatment of bulbar urethral strictures is still one of the most challenging reconstructive-surgery problems. Bulbar urethral strictures are usually categorized as traumatic and non-traumatic strictures depending on the aetiology. The traumatic strictures are caused by trauma and they determine disruption of the urethra with obliteration of the urethral lumen, ending with fibrotic gaps between the urethral ends. Differently, the non-traumatic urethral strictures are mainly caused by catheterization, instrumentation, and infection, or they can also be idiopathic. They are usually associated with spongiofibrosis of the segment of the urethra that has been involved. Worldwide, two different surgical approaches are currently adopted for bulbar urethral repair: transecting techniques with end-to-end anastomosis and non-transecting techniques followed by grafting. Traumatic obliterated strictures require transection of the urethra allowing complete removal of the fibrotic tissue that involves the urethral ends. Conversely, non-traumatic, non-obliterated urethral strictures require augmentation of the urethral plate using oral mucosa grafts. Nowadays, it is still difficult to choose the correct surgical management for non-obliterated bulbar stricture repair. Indeed, different surgical techniques have been proposed (pedicled flap vs free graft, dorsal vs ventral placement of the graft, non-transecting technique using or non-using free graft, etc.) but none emerged as the best solution since all techniques have showed similar success and complication rates. Consequently, the final choice is still based on surgeon's preferences and patient's characteristics. Within the current manuscript, we like to present some of our tips and tricks that we developed along our prolonged surgical experience on the treatment of bulbar urethral strictures. These might be of interest for surgeons that approach this complex surgery. Moreover, our suggestions want to be useful regardless the type of chosen technique being adaptable for different scenario.

Transurethral resection of the prostate stricture management / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

For more than nine decades, transurethral resection of the prostate remains the gold standard for the surgical treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic obstruction. The occurrence of urethral strictures after transurethral resection of the prostate is one of the major late complications and has been reported as the leading cause of iatrogenic urethral strictures in patients older than 45 years who underwent urethroplasty. Although several postulations have been proposed to explain the urethral stricture after transurethral resection of the prostate, the exact etiology of urethral stricture after TURP is still controversial. Suggested etiological factors of urethral stricture formation after transurethral resection of the prostate include infection, mechanical trauma, prolonged indwelling catheter time, use of local anesthesia, and electrical injury by a stray current. One single treatment option is not appropriate for all stricture types. The management of urethral stricture following transurethral resection of the prostate includes minimally invasive endoscopic methods, including urethral dilation and direct visual incision, or open surgical procedures with varying urethroplasty techniques. Although scientific studies focusing on urethral strictures after transurethral resection of the prostate are relatively limited and sparse, we can apply the principles of urethral stricture management before making decisions on individual stricture treatment.

Safety and effectiveness evaluation of open reanastomosis for obliterative or recalcitrant anastomotic stricture after radical retropubic prostatectomy

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate safety, efficacy and functional outcomes after open vesicourethral re - anastomosis using different approaches based on previous urinary continence. Materials and Methods: Retrospective study of patients treated from 2002 to 2017 due to vesicourethral anastomosis stricture (VUAS) post radical prostatectomy (RP) who failed endoscopic treatment with at least 3 months of follow-up. Continent and incontinent patients post RP were assigned to abdominal (AA) or perineal approach (PA), respectively. Demographic and perioperative variables were registered. Follow-up was completed with clinical interview, uroflowmetry and cystoscopy every 4 months. Success was defined as asymptomatic patients with urethral lumen that allows a 14 French flexible cystoscope. Results: Twenty patients underwent open re-anastomosis for VUAS after RP between 2002 and 2017. Mean age was 63.7 years (standard deviation 1.4) and median follow-up was 10 months (range 3 - 112). The approach distribution was PA 10 patients (50%) and AA 10 patients (50%). The mean surgery time and median hospital time were 246.2 ± 35.8 minutes and 4 days (range 2 - 10), respectively with no differences between approaches. No significant complication rate was found. Three patients in the AA group had gait disorder with favorable evolution and no sequels. Estimated 2 years primary success rate was 80%. After primary procedures 89.9% remained stenosis - free. All PA patients remained incontinent, and 90% AA remained continent during follow-up. Conclusion: Open vesicourethral re - anastomosis treatment is a reasonable treatment option for recurrent VUAS after RP. All patients with perineal approach remained incontinent while incontinence rate in abdominal approach was rather low.

Tratamiento Quirúrgico de la estenosis bulbomembranosa secundaria a fractura pelviana: resultados funcionales / Bulbomenbranous Urethral Stricture After Pelvic Fracture: Surgical Managment and Functional Outcomes

Objetivos: La incidencia de lesión uretral bulboprostática secundaria a fractura pelviana es del 5-10%. Una uretroplastia exitosa garantiza el comienzo de la rehabilitación de los pacientes. Presentamos nuestra experiencia en el manejo quirúrgico de la estenosis uretral secundaria a fractura pelviana y resultados funcionales: tasa de éxito, reestenosis, disfunción eréctil e incontinencia urinaria. Evaluamos si existe asociación entre la falta de erecciones postrauma y la reestenosis. Materiales y métodos: Cincuenta y tres pacientes fueron operados durante el período comprendido entre 2001 y 2015. Todos fueron estudiados con cistoscopia flexible, cistouretrografía retrógrada y miccional. La técnica quirúrgica empleada fue la resección y anastomosis primaria. Se utilizó siempre la sistemática del abordaje perineal progresivo para lograr una anastomosis sin tensión. Interrogamos sobre la calidad de las erecciones posterior al trauma y después de la cirugía, y su estado de continencia urinaria. Se realizó un análisis estadístico donde se evaluó si la falta de erecciones era un factor de riesgo para recaída. Resultados: La edad promedio de los pacientes fue de 34,5 (r=17-67) años. La longitud promedio de la estenosis fue de 2,28 cm, siendo la uretra bulbomembranosa la más afectada (89%). La tasa de éxito fue del 86% (46/53), que asciende al 94% (50/53) al asociar un procedimiento endoscópico. Un solo paciente refirió disfunción eréctil postcirugía (1/19; 5,3%). Dos (3,7%) pacientes evolucionaron con incontinencia de orina de esfuerzo. No se hallaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre el grupo de pacientes con erecciones y aquellos sin erecciones en cuanto a la posibilidad de reestenosis. Conclusiones: La anastomosis bulbomembranosa por vía perineal es el tratamiento de elección de la estenosis uretral postfractura pelviana. Los índices de incontinencia de orina y disfunción eréctil no aumentan significativamente luego de la uretroplastia. En nuestra experiencia, la falta de erecciones preoperatoria no predice mayor índice de recaídas(AU)

Objectives: Bulboprostatic urethral stricture after pelvic fracture occurs in about 5-10%. A successful urethroplasty guarantees the beginning of patient recovery. We present our experience in the surgical management of posterior urethral stricture after pelvic fracture and functional outcomes (success and failure rates, erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence). The association between the lack of erections post-trauma and the incidence of restenosis was also evaluated. Materials and methods: 53 patients were operated between 2001- 2015. Preop workout included a flexible cystoscopy and a combination of retrograde and voiding cystourethrogram to define the site and length of urethral stricture. Resection and primary anastomosis was the technique always employed. In all cases the progressive perineal approach was followed in order to achieve a tension free anastomosis. Erectile function and urinary continence were evaluated before and after surgery. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate if lack of erections was a failure predictor. Results: Median age was 34.5 (r=17-67) years. Median urethral stricture length was 2.28 cm. Bulbomembranous junction was the most affected portion (89%). Success rate was 86% (46/53) ascending to 94% (50/53) when an endoscopic procedure was associated. One patient referred erectile dysfunction after surgery (1/19; 5.3%). Two patients (3.7%) developed stress urinary incontinence. The restenosis rate did not show statiscally differences between the erectile dysfunction and non-erectile dysfunction group. Conclusions: Perineal bulbomembranous anastomosis is the elected procedure for urethral stricture after pelvic fracture. Incidence of urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction are not significantly elevated after urethroplasty. In our experience, lack of erections before surgery does not predict a higher rate of restenosis(AU)

Analysis of risk factors leading to postoperative urethral stricture and bladder neck contracture following transurethral resection of prostate

ABSTRACT Purpose: To determine risk factors of postoperative urethral stricture (US) and vesical neck contracture (BNC) after transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) from perioperative parameters. Materials and Methods: 373 patients underwent TURP in a Chinese center for lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic obstruction (LUTS/BPO), with their perioperative and follow-up clinical data being collected. Univariate analyses were used to determine variables which had correlation with the incidence of US and BNC before logistic regression being applied to find out independent risk factors. Results: The median follow-up was 29.3 months with the incidence of US and BNC being 7.8% and 5.4% respectively. Resection speed, reduction in hemoglobin (ΔHb) and hematocrit (ΔHCT) levels, incidence of urethral mucosa rupture, re-catheterization and continuous infection had significant correlation with US, while PSA level, storage score, total prostate volume (TPV), transitional zone volume (TZV), transitional zone index (TZI), resection time and resected gland weight had significant correlation with BNC. Lower resection speed (OR=0.48), urethral mucosa rupture (OR=2.44) and continuous infection (OR=1.49) as well as higher storage score (OR=2.51) and lower TPV (OR=0.15) were found to be the independent risk factors of US and BNC respectively. Conclusions: Lower resection speed, intraoperative urethral mucosa rupture and postoperative continuous infection were associated with a higher risk of US while severer storage phase symptom and smaller prostate size were associated with a higher risk of BNC after TURP.

Does resectoscope size play a role in formation of urethral stricture following transurethral prostate resection?

ABSTRACTBackground and aims:To investigate the possible effect of resectoscope size on urethral stricture rate after monopolar TURP.Materials and Methods:A retrospective study of 71 men undergoing TURP was conducted at two centers’ from November 2009 to May 2013. The patients were divided into one of two groups according to the resectoscope diameter used for TURP. Resectoscope diameter was 24 F in group 1 (n=35) or 26 F in group 2 (n=36). Urethral catheter type, catheter removal time and energy type were kept constant for all patients. Urethral stricture formation in different localizations after TURP was compared between groups.Results:There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of age, pre-operative prostate gland volume (PV), prostate-specific antigen (PSA), maximal urinary flow rates (Qmax), International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and post-voiding residual urine volume (PVR). The resection time and weight of resected prostate tissue were similar for both groups (p>0.05). A statistically significant higher incidence of bulbar stricture was detected in group 2 compared to group1 (p=0.018).Conclusions:The use of small-diameter resectoscope shafts may cause a reduction in the incidence of uretral strictures in relation to urethral friction and mucosal damage.

Standard surgical treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia is safe for patients over 75 years: analysis of 100 cases from a high-volume urologic center

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to determine the complications of standard surgical treatments among patients over 75 years in a high-volume urologic center. METHODS: We analyzed 100 consecutive patients older than 75 years who had undergone transurethral prostatic resection of the prostate or open prostatectomy for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia from January 2008 to March 2010. We analyzed patient age, prostate volume, prostate-specific antigen level, international prostatic symptom score, quality of life score, urinary retention, co-morbidities, surgical technique and satisfaction with treatment. RESULTS: Median age was 79 years. Forty-eight patients had undergone transurethral prostatic resection of the prostate, and 52 had undergone open prostatectomy. The median International Prostatic Symptom Score was 20, the median prostate volume was 83 g, 51% were using an indwelling bladder catheter, and the median prostatespecific antigen level was 5.0 ng/ml. The most common comorbidities were hypertension, diabetes and coronary disease. After a median follow-up period of 17 months, most patients were satisfied. Complications were present in 20% of cases. The most common urological complication was urethral stenosis, followed by bladder neck sclerosis, urinary fistula, late macroscopic hematuria and persistent urinary incontinence. The most common clinical complication was myocardial infarction, followed by acute renal failure requiring dialysis. Incidental carcinoma of the prostate was present in 6% of cases. One case had urothelial bladder cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Standard surgical treatments for benign prostatic hyperplasia are safe and satisfactory among the elderly. Complications are infrequent, and urethral stenosis is the most common. No clinical variable is associated with the occurrence of complications.

Recurrencia de estrechez uretral: causas y probables factores condicionantes, en el Hospital Nacional Arzobispo Loayza, periodo 2000-2010 / Recurrence of urethral stricture: causes and probable determinants in the National Hospital Arzobispo Loayza, period 2000-2010

Objetivos: Determinar cuál es la recurrencia de la estrechez uretral y describir las probables causas de la recurrencia de la estrechez uretral, en pacientes que han sido intervenidos quirúrgicamente por cualquiera de las técnicas, en el Hospital Nacional Arzobispo Loayza, en el periodo comprendido entre los años 2000 - 2010. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional, analítico, retrospectivo y transversal. Se revisaron 57 historias clínicas de pacientes con diagnóstico de estrechez uretral, que ingresaran al servicio de urología y que fueron sometidos a cualquiera de los tipos de reparación quirúrgica de estrechez uretral en el periodo que corresponde al estudio. Resultados: El 73.3 por ciento de los pacientes provenían de la costa. La etiología más frecuente de la estrechez uretral fue la traumática en el 43.9 por ciento de los casos. La cirugía que se practicó con mayor frecuencia fue la uretrotomía interna en el 70.2 por ciento de los casos. Hubo recurrencia en el 31.6 por ciento de los casos. Hubo reintervención quirúrgica en el 31.6 por ciento de los casos. La forma de diagnóstico más frecuente fue la uretrocistoscopía en el 70.2 por ciento de los casos. El nivel de lesión uretral más frecuente fue la uretra bulbar en el 50.9 por ciento de los casos. Se presentó recidiva en el 31.6 por ciento de los casos. Conclusiones: Los pacientes que presentaron recidiva se caracterizaron por ser de Lima, por tener etiología traumática de la estrechez, por haber sido operados de uretroplastía, haber sido operados más de una vez, cuyo diagnóstico de estrechez fue por uretrocistoscopía, y cuya lesión uretral más frecuente fue en la uretra bulbar.

Comprehensive analysis of etiology on the prognosis of urethral strictures

INTRODUCTION: Urethral strictures remain a reconstructive dilemma, due to high incidence of recurrence and less than satisfactory outcomes. Even experienced surgeons following strict surgical principles have not achieved optimal results, leading us to think whether the etiology of strictures dictate the outcome . We evaluated this "cause-effect" relationship highlighting the significance of the etiology on the overall prognosis of urethral strictures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 302 males with urethral strictures were assessed (both retrospectively and prospectively) over a period of ten years. The preoperative evaluation was performed by retrograde urethrogram, urethrosonogram, and uroflowmetry and categorized, based on etiology: a) as post traumatic, b) post infective, c) iatrogenic or d) unknown. Traumatic strictures were subjected to pelvic X-ray and sub-categorized into grades A, B and C, following the TILE classification. Patients were operated; with tunica albuginea urethroplasty for anterior strictures and U shape prostato-bulbar anastomosis for posterior strictures. RESULTS: Traumatic strictures accounted for 54 percent of cases. 127 of the 302 patients were treated using Tunica Albuginea Urethroplasty, while U shaped Prostatobulbar Anastomosis was performed on others. Post traumatic strictures had best outcome whereas post infective strictures had the worse outcome. Among strictures following pelvic fractures, TILE grades A and B had a better post operative course as compared to TILE C. Overall complication rate was 13.24 percent. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that etiology of urethral strictures may play a vital role for the overall prognosis of urethral strictures.

L'urethrorraphie terminoterminale dans le traitement des retrecissements de l' uretre bulbaire et membraneux

Objectifs: Evaluer les resultats de d'uretrorraphie termino-terminale dans le traitement des stenoses de l'uretre bulbaire et membraneux a travers l'etude de la serie de notre service et une revue recente de la litteraturePatients et methodes: Il s'agit d'une etude retrospective basee sur la revue des dossiers medicaux des patients ayant beneficies d'une Uretrorraphie Termino-Terminale (UTT) dans notre formation entre Fevrier 2006 et Fevrier 2010. La moyenne d'age des patients etait de38; 3 ans. L'etiologie du retrecissement uretral etait infectieuse et traumatique respectivement dans 40et 60des cas. Chez 68d'entre eux; le retrecissement uretral etait localise au niveau bulbaire et chez 32au niveau membraneux. Tous les patients avaient une stenoseunique inferieure a 2 cm a l'uretro-cystographie retrograde et mictionnelle.Resultats: La duree moyenne de suivi etait de 28 mois. Le taux de succes de l'uretrorraphie termino-terminale dans notre etude etait de 88. 12des patients avaient presente une recidive de la stenose. Tow patients (8) ayant une stenose bulbaire avaient rapporte des troubles ejaculatoires. Aucun de nos patients (0) n'avait presente ni dysfonction erectile ni incontinence suite a cette intervention.Conclusion: L'uretroplastie anastomotique termino-terminale permet des taux eleves de repermeabilisation uretrale apres une premiere procedure. Le taux de recidive de la stenose reste faible comparativement aux autres techniques chirurgicales. Les troubles ejaculatoires peuvent etre prevenus par une dissection minutieuse et une restitution anatomique des muscles bulbo-caverneux

Monti’s procedure as an alternative technique in complex urethral distraction defect

PURPOSE: Pelvic fracture urethral distraction defect is usually managed by the end to end anastomotic urethroplasty. Surgical repair of those patients with post-traumatic complex posterior urethral defects, who have undergone failed previous surgical treatments, remains one of the most challenging problems in urology. Appendix urinary diversion could be used in such cases. However, the appendix tissue is not always usable. We report our experience on management of patients with long urethral defect with history of one or more failed urethroplasties by Monti channel urinary diversion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2001 to 2007, we evaluated data from 8 male patients aged 28 to 76 years (mean age 42.5) in whom the Monti technique was performed. All cases had history of posterior urethral defect with one or more failed procedures for urethral reconstruction including urethroplasty. A 2 to 2.5 cm segment of ileum, which had a suitable blood supply, was cut. After the re-anastomosis of the ileum, we closed the opened ileum transversely surrounding a 14-16 Fr urethral catheter using running Vicryl sutures. The newly built tube was used as an appendix during diversion. RESULTS: All patients performed catheterization through the conduit without difficulty and stomal stenosis. Mild stomal incontinence occurred in one patient in the supine position who became continent after adjustment of the catheterization intervals. There was no dehiscence, necrosis or perforation of the tube. CONCLUSION: Based on our data, Monti’s procedure seems to be a valuable technique in patients with very long complicated urethral defect who cannot be managed with routine urethroplastic techniques.

Urethral Stricture and HIV: Unusual Presentations and Treatment Challenge

Objective: The clinico-pathologic features of urethral stricture in patients with HIV/AIDS are not yet clearly described in the literature. HIV/AIDS has changed the natural course and clinical features of most infectious diseases. We describe some of the features of post-inflammatory strictures associated with HIV Infection and assess the treatment challenges and outcomes of other causes of urethral stricture. Patients and Methods: Consecutive men with urethral stricture who presented to the University Hospital of Gondar; North-West Ethiopia were enrolled. The HIV status; cause of the stricture; type of treatment and outcome were recorded. Results: There were 25 post-traumatic and 15 post-gonococcal urethral strictures. All posttraumatic and 5 of the post-gonococcal urethral stricture patients were HIV negative. All 10 HIV positive patients had longer and denser urethral strictures than expected. The time between gonococcal infection and urethral stricture development was 3-5 years in HIV positive patients. The treatment of post-traumatic stricture included progressive perineal anastomotic urethroplasty and a good outcome was seen in more than 95. However; the surgical treatment of patients with HIV infection was a challenge. Conclusion: If post-inflammatory urethral stricture occurs in a young man where the time between known gonococcal infection and development of stricture is short (less than 5 years); HIV coinfection is most likely. The stricture in these patients will be longer and denser and not amenable to conventional endoscopic urethrotomy

Challenging non-traumatic posterior urethral strictures treated with urethroplasty: a preliminary report

Introduction: Posterior urethral strictures after prostatic radiotherapy or surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) refractory to minimal invasive procedures (dilation and/or endoscopic urethrotomy) are challenging to treat. Published reports of alternative curative management are extremely rare. This is a preliminary report on the treatment of these difficult strictures by urethroplasty. Materials and Methods: Seven cases were treated: 4 cases occurred after open prostatectomy or transurethral resection of the prostate for BPH, one case after external beam irradiation and 2 after brachytherapy. The 4 cases after BPH-related surgery were in fact complete obstructions at the bladder neck and the membranous urethra with the prostatic urethra still partially patent. Anastomotic repair by perineal route was done in all cases with bladder neck incision in the BPH-cases and prostatic apex resection in the radiotherapy cases. Results: Mean follow-up was 31 months (range: 12-72 months). The operation was successful, with preserved continence, in 3 of the 4 BPH-cases and in 2 of the 3 radiotherapy cases. An endoscopic incision was able to treat a short re-stricture in the BPH-patient and a longer stricture at the bulbar urethra could be managed with a perineostomy in the radiotherapy-patient. Conclusion: Posterior non-traumatic strictures refractory to minimal invasive procedures (dilation/endoscopic urethrotomy) can be treated by urethroplasty using an anastomotic repair with a bladder neck incision if necessary.

Straddle injuries to the bulbar urethra: management and outcome in 53 patients

Objective: To describe our experience with blunt injuries to the bulbar urethra and their late sequelae to identify factors that may affect patient outcome. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was performed on 53 male patients who presented, between January 2001 and December 2005, with blunt traumatic injury to the bulbar urethra. The definitive diagnosis of urethral rupture was made by retrograde urethrography, where urethral rupture was classified into partial or complete. The minimum follow-up period was 3 years. The initial management was either suprapubic cystostomy or endoscopic urethral realignment over a urethral catheter using a cystoscope to pass a guide-wire over which the catheter was inserted. Stricture formation was managed by visual internal urethrotomy (VIU) for passable strictures and urethroplasty (stricture excision and re-anastomosis) for impassable strictures or recurrence after VIU. The follow-up period was three years. The results were analyzed by SPSS software (chi-square and Student's-t-test). Results: Stricture formation occurred in 19 of 22 patients (86 percent) with complete urethral rupture and in 10 of 31 (32 percent) with partial rupture (p < 0.001). Strictures occurred in 11 of 31 (35 percent) patients treated initially with suprapubic cystostomy and in 18 of 22 (82 percent) treated with primary urethral realignment (p < 0.001). The success rate after VIU was 15 percent (4 of 26 patients) and after urethroplasty it was 96 percent (24 of 25 patients) (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Suprapubic cystostomy is better than urethral realignment and catheterization as primary management after straddle injury to the bulbar urethra. Stricture excision and re-anastomosis is better than VIU as delayed management for strictures that develop after straddle injury to the bulbar urethra.

Fibrosis in tubularized skin flaps in rats, using silicon catheters with two different degrees of flexibility: experimental model / Fibrose em retalhos tubulizados de pele de ratos usando cateteres de diferentes flexibilidades como molde: modelo experimental

PURPOSE: Microscopically evaluate the intensity of fibrosis in tubularized skin flaps on the back of Wistar rats, using silicon molds with different degrees of flexibility. METHODS: Twenty rats were submitted to three tubularized skin flaps on their backs. In two tubular flaps, we placed, as a mold, silicon catheters with different degrees of flexibility and removed them on the seventh day after the surgery. They were divided into two groups and euthanized, on the seventh and twenty-first days respectively after the surgery for the collection of the pieces, coloration with Masson tricromic, quantification of the area of each sample and comparison among the groups. RESULTS: Fibrosis was less intense on the tubular flaps where a catheter was not used as a mold. No significant difference was verified among the pieces with the silicon catheters, but there was a tendency of less fibrosis on the tubules with the most flexible catheter. CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference among the two catheter types. Fibrosis was less intense in the flaps where the mold was not used.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar microscopicamente a intensidade da fibrose em retalhos tubulares de pele do dorso de ratos Wistar em uso de moldes de silicone de diferentes flexibilidades. MÉTODOS: Vinte animais foram submetidos à confecção de três retalhos tubulizados de pele na região dorsal. Em dois túbulos foram colocados, como molde, cateteres de silicone com flexibilidades diferentes e retirados no sétimo dia após a cirurgia. Foram divididos em dois grupos e sacrificados, respectivamente, no sétimo e vigésimo primeiro dia após a cirurgia para a coleta das peças, coloração pelo tricrômico de Masson, quantificação da área de cada amostra e comparação entre os grupos. RESULTADOS: A fibrose foi menos intensa nos retalhos tubulares em que não se usou cateter como molde. Não se verificou diferença significativa entre os retalhos com os cateteres de silicone, mas sim, tendência de menos fibrose nos túbulos com cateter mais flexível. CONCLUSÃO: Não houve diferença significativa entre os dois tipos de cateter. A fibrose foi menos intensa nos retalhos onde não se utilizou molde.

Traitement des sténoses de l'urètre par urétrotomie interne endoscopique: résultats anatomiques et fonctionnels d'une série de 244 cas

Evaluer les résultats d'une série homogène de sténoses urétrales traitées de façon univoque par urétrotomie interne endoscopique (UIE) et d'étudier les éléments à valeur prédictive du résultat.Patients et méthodes. Entre 1989 et 2007, 244 patients ont été hospitalisés pour sténose de l'urètre. Ils ont bénéficié d'une UIE sous contrôle de la vue. Résultats.Il y a eu 34,3% de bons résultats après la première UIE. Le recul moyen était de 3,5 ans. La mortalité était nulle et la morbidité était évaluée à 5%. Le résultat était d'autant meilleur que le geste concernait une sténose courte (inférieure à 2 cm), unique sur l'urètre proximal. La durée moyenne du cathétérisme post-opératoire a été de 2 jours; maintenir ce cathétérisme au delà n'a pas apporté d'amélioration significative. Les mauvais résultats (65,6%) ont été rapportés dans les cas de sténose étendue, siégeant sur l'urètre distal ou concernant des patients âgés. 62,5% ont été guéris après une deuxième urétrotomie, les autres cas ont nécessité des séances de dilatations urétrales d'entretien, voire un geste de plastie. Conclusion. L'UIE est une intervention simple, dépourvue de morbidité majeure et ne nécessitant qu'une hospitalisation courte. Avec un taux de succès stable de l'ordre de 75,4% à 3,5 ans, il nous paraît licite de proposer l'UIE en première intention pour toute sténose urétrale courte, unique, proximale et qu'elle survient chez un sujet jeune, sans antécédents urétraux