One-sided dissection with dorsal onlay buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty (the Kulkarni technique): A preliminary experience study in the Philippines

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION@#Urethroplasty is the gold standard treatment for urethral stricture disease, regardless of the reconstructive technique utilized, because of its high success rate as compared with endoscopic urethrotomy or simple dilation. Among the different urethroplasty techniques, the Kulkarni Procedure has gained wide acceptance worldwide for strictures of varying etiologies. This is the first ever local experience study to review this one-sided dissection technique aimed at preserving the lateral blood and nervous supply to the urethra thereby increasing the chances of graft survival.@*METHODS@#A retrospective review from October 2017 – October 2021 was done. Twenty male patients were included. Their ages ranged from 24 to 75 years old (mean age 43). The patient underwent one-sided urethral dissection followed by dorsal onlay mucosal graft urethroplasty. All the surgeries were performed by a single surgeon. On follow up, outcomes were measured using a variety of tools. Incidence of postoperative complications and stricture recurrence were likewise noted.@*RESULTS@#In this study, 20 patients underwent one-sided dorsal onlay BMG (buccal mucosal graft) urethroplasty (Kulkarni technique), from October 2017 to October 2021.The outcome was deemed successful if the patient no longer needed additional procedures after the initial surgery. Of the 20 patients, 18 had successful outcomes. The other 2 patients had to undergo a redo urethroplasty.@*CONCLUSION@#This technique was shown to have an overall success rate of 92% in 24 patients, with a follow-up period of 12-55 months based on Kulkarni’s initial report in 2009. The results of the present study are similar wherein the overall success rate was 90% in 20 patients, but on a shorter follow up period. Despite the small sample size and short follow-up period, the results of the initial experience are very promising. As urologists gain more experience, they can achieve higher success rates in the future.