[Urethral reconstruction]. / Harnröhrenrekonstruktion.

A urethral stricture is an abnormal narrowing of the urethra due to spongiofibrosis of the urethral mucosa and the underlying corpus spongiosum. The diagnostics include uroflowmetry, sonography and radiology. For penile strictures the success rate of endoscopic treatment is low. Therefore, urethroplasty should always be performed, preferably using oral mucosa. Depending on the complexity, reconstruction must be carried out in one or multiple stages. For short bulbous strictures endoscopic treatment can primarily be carried out. In the case of recurrence urethroplasty should be carried out. The indications for urethral reconstruction are primarily given for long bulbous strictures. Depending on the length and extent of the stricture, a scar resection and end-to-end anastomosis, non-transsecting end-to-end anastomosis or augmentation urethroplasty can be performed. Perineal urethrostomy (the so-called boutonnière procedure) is a treatment option for patients with complex strictures or for patients who want a straightforward solution.

Efficacy comparison between Mathieu combined urethral plate incision and onlay island flap urethroplasty for distal hypospadias in patients with urethral plate stenosis.

The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of Mathieu combined urethral plate incision (Mathieu-IP) versus onlay island flap urethroplasty in patients with distal hypospadias complicated by urethral stenosis. The clinical data of 70 patients with distal hypospadias complicated by urethral plate stenosis treated in the Department of Urology, Anhui Provincial Children's Hospital (Hefei, China), from May 2019 to May 2022, were retrospectively analyzed. Thirty-eight patients underwent Mathieu-IP (Mathieu-IP group) and 32 underwent onlay island flap urethroplasty (Onlay group). Follow-ups at 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months postoperatively assessed operative time, complications, urethral meatus morphology, and family satisfaction. The Mathieu-IP group had significantly shorter operative time (mean ± standard deviation [s.d.]: 81.58 ± 5.18 min) versus the Onlay group (mean ± s.d.: 110.75 ± 6.05 min; P < 0.05). Surgical success rates were 78.9% (Mathieu-IP group) and 75.0% (Onlay group), with no significant difference ( P > 0.05). Complications were comparable between the groups. The Mathieu-IP group resulted in a vertical slit-shaped urethral meatus in 89.5% versus 13.8% in the Onlay group ( P < 0.05). Family satisfaction with general penile appearance and skin shape showed no significant differences, but the Mathieu-IP group had higher satisfaction with meatal position ( P < 0.05). Mathieu-IP offers simplicity, safety, and shorter operative time compared to Onlay. Both the techniques effectively treat urethral plate stenosis in distal hypospadias, with reduced postoperative complications compared to tubularized incised plate urethroplasty. Mathieu-IP results in a vertical slit-shaped urethral meatus which enhances urinary stream, indicating its potential for broader adoption.

Comparison of outcome of TIP urethroplasty with or without Buck's Fascia repair.

OBJECTIVE: TIP is the most common preformed type of Urethroplasty. The intermediate barrier is used as a waterproofing layer to prevent fistula formation. Many tissues have been utilized as a barrier layer, with varying success rates. The search for a better intermediate layer will continue. In this study, we aim to evaluate the role of Buck's Fascia as a covering for the neo-urethra to prevent fistula formation in patients who underwent Snodgrass Urethroplasty. METHODS: This prospective study was conducted between 2018 and 2022. Patients were randomly assigned to either Group 'A' or Group 'B'. Group A included patients who underwent the Snodgrass procedure with a Buck's Fascia cover, while Group B included patients whose neo-urethra was covered with the dartos flap. These patients were closely monitored for the development of short- and long-term complications in both groups, and the results were recorded. RESULTS: The study involved 164 patients, who underwent midpenile and distal hypospadias repair using the Snodgrass technique. In Group 'A' (84 patients), the neo-urethra was covered with Buck's Fascia, while in Group 'B' (80 patients), the neo-urethra was covered with the dartos flap. The mean age of the children was (23.06 ± 16.12) months in group 'A' & (26.06 ± 14.07) months in group 'B'. mean operating time was (40 ± 11.43) minutes, in Group 'A', and (70 ± 17.43) minutes, in Group 'B'. Meatal stenosis occurred in 3.57% of children in Group 'A' and 10% of patients in Group 'B'. Urethral fistulas were encountered in 2.35% of cases in Group 'A'and 10% in Group 'B'. The difference between the groups was statistically significant.

Comparison of laser versus cold knife visual internal urethrotomy in the treatment of urethral stricture (stricture length <2 cm): A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: There is still controversy regarding the safety and efficacy of cold knife visual internal urethrotomy and laser incisions for the treatment of urethral stricture. This study aims to compare the results of postoperative long-term and short-term maximum urinary flow rates (Qmax), surgical time, postoperative complications, and 1-year recurrence rates between the cold knife and laser surgery. METHODS: We searched databases including Embase, PubMed, Cochrane, and Clinical Trials.gov to identify relevant literature published in English up to September 2023. We used Stata to compare various parameters. This study is registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023471634). Nine comparative experiments were conducted, involving a total of 659 participants. RESULTS: The laser group showed significantly better results compared to the cold knife group in terms of postoperative 12-month maximum urinary flow rate (mean differences [MD] 2.131; 95% [1.015, 3.249], P < .0001), postoperative bleeding (RR 0.277, 95% [0.079, 0.977], P = .046), and 1-year recurrence rate (RR 0.667, 95% [0.456, 0.976], P = .037). However, there were no significant differences in postoperative 6-month and 3-month Qmax, surgical time, urethral leakage complications, overall complications, and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores. CONCLUSION: The current study results suggest that laser urethral incision has greater advantages in the long-term (12 months), 1-year recurrence rate, and bleeding complications compared to cold knife urethral incision in the treatment of urethral stricture (<2 cm). Therefore, laser urethral incision may be a better choice for patients with urethral stricture.

High fibre and fluid intake increase the success of hypospadias surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Hypospadias is a congenital malformation of the urethral meatus in the ventral penis that requires surgery. Fibre and fluid intake can accelerate the healing process, act as an anti-inflammatory and support the success of surgery. Based on hypospadias objective scoring evaluation (HOSE) scoring, this study aims to determine whether a high-fibre diet and adequate fluid intake affect the outcome of hypospadias surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This analytic observational study used a case-control study design on 104 post-operative hypospadias patients at Ulin and Siaga Hospital Banjarmasin from 2018 to 2023 with quota sampling. Data were collected using personal data forms with hypospadias objective scoring evaluation (HOSE) and semi-quantitativefood frequency questionnaire (SQ-FFQ), which were analysed using a multinomial logistic regression test. RESULTS: Patients with less-fibre-intake had a 99.10% lower chance of having an excellent surgical outcome than patients with moderate-fibre-intake (Adjusted Odds Ratio, Adj. OR: 0.009, 95% Confidence Intervals; 95%CI: 0.000, 0.249), and it was statistically significant. The study did not find any association between fluid intake and surgical outcome, this could be due to the fact that most of the patient had good fluid intake. CONCLUSION: The study found that high fibre intake increases the success of hypospadia surgery.

Pelvic fracture urethral injury in adolescents - Predictors of outcomes and surgical complexity.

INTRODUCTION: Pelvic fracture urethral injury (PFUI) is more severe in younger individuals. The adolescent group is prone to protracted morbidity due to severity of the injury and its impact on lifestyle. Hence, treatment options and data on outcomes are crucial in planning management. The adolescents are a subgroup in several series of PFUI, but literature exclusively studying this group is sparse. MATERIALS & METHODS: A retrospective review of all adolescents (aged between 10 and 19 years as defined by WHO) who underwent surgical repair for PFUI between January 2005 and December 2019 was conducted. Success was defined as a bell-shaped urine flow curve and Qmax of >15 ml/s, no evidence of re-stricture (on cystoscopy/MCU), and no re-intervention. Measurements of the length of the urethral defect and bulbar urethra were done using a digital scale by the radiologist from micturating cystourethrogram (MCU). The Gapometry/Urethrometry (GU) index was calculated as the ratio of the length of the urethral defect to that of the bulbar urethra. Data was analysed using SPSS software version 20.0 and Stata Version 16. The primary outcome was the success of anastomotic urethroplasty. Secondary outcomes were evaluating factors predicting operative complexity (simple perineal versus elaborate perineal approach). RESULTS: We studied 22 patients, out of which 8 were referred following prior failed intervention elsewhere. The mean age was 16.5 + 2.7 years. All the patients were treated using a perineal approach with an overall success rate of 90.9%. Two patients had a failure and were managed with Endoscopic Internal Urethrotomy (EIU), and urethral dilatation. The median follow-up was 24 months. All 8 patients with prior failed interventions had a successful outcome. Twelve patients required inferior pubectomy (elaborate perineal approach). The median length of the urethral defect (2.3 cm IQR- 1.45,3.30 vs. 1 cm, IQR-0.65, 1.6) and the mean GU index (0.45 ± 0.18 cm vs. 0.25 cm ± 0.12 cm) were significantly higher in those who required an elaborate perineal approach. CONCLUSIONS: The perineal approach for surgical repair (anastomotic urethroplasty) of pelvic fracture urethral injury has a favourable success rate of 90.9% in adolescents. Re-do anastomotic urethroplasty for prior failed repairs also had a high success rate of 100%. Cases requiring an elaborate perineal approach were associated with a significantly higher Gapometry/Urethrometry Index (>0.45) and length of the urethral defect (>2.3 cm). This information may assist in patient counselling and preparation for additional steps during repair.

Inflammation indexes and machine-learning algorithm in predicting urethroplasty success.

PURPOSE: To assess the predictive capability of hematological inflammatory markers for urethral stricture recurrence after primary urethroplasty and to compare traditional statistical methods with a machine-learning-based artificial intelligence algorithm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred eighty-seven patients who underwent primary urethroplasty were scanned. Ages, smoking status, comorbidities, hematological inflammatory parameters (neutrophil-lymphocyte ratios, platelet-lymphocyte ratios [PLR], systemic immune-inflammation indexes [SII], and pan-immune-inflammation values [PIV]), stricture characteristics, history of previous direct-visual internal urethrotomy, urethroplasty techniques, and grafts/flaps placements were collected. Patients were followed up for one year for recurrence and grouped accordingly. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to create a predictive model. Additionally, a machine-learning-based logistic regression analysis was implemented to compare predictive performances. p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Comparative analysis between the groups revealed statistically significant differences in stricture length (p=0.003), localization (p=0.027), lymphocyte counts (p=0.008), PLR (p=0.003), SII (p=0.003), and PIV (p=0.001). In multivariate analysis, stricture length (odds ratio [OR] 1.230, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.142-1.539, p<0.0001) and PIV (OR 1.002, 95% CI 1.000-1.003, p=0.039) were identified as significant predictors of recurrence. Classical logistic regression model exhibited a sensitivity of 0.76, specificity of 0.43 with an area under curve (AUC) of 0.65. However, the machine-learning algorithm outperformed traditional methods achieving a sensitivity of 0.80, specificity of 0.76 with a higher AUC of 0.82. CONCLUSIONS: PIV and machine-learning algorithms shows promise on predicting urethroplasty outcomes, potentially leading to develop possible nomograms. Evolving machine-learning algorithms will contribute to more personalized and accurate approaches in managing urethral stricture.

Use of Soft Penile Prosthesis in Grafting Surgery for Peyronie's Disease and Mild Erectile Dysfunction: Still an Option?

BACKGROUND: Plaque incision and grafting (PEG) is a primary surgical therapy for severe penile curvature in Peyronie's disease (PD); However, it can increase the risk of erectile dysfunction (ED), particularly in patients with pre-operative mild ED. Soft penile prosthesis (SPP) implantation is a viable treatment option in such cases. This study aims to compare the outcomes of PEG-only approach to PEG plus SPP implantation. METHODS: Between 2010 and 2019, 32 patients with PD and mild ED (5-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function scores: 17-21) underwent PEG surgery. Two groups were defined based on the surgery type: PEG-only and PEG plus SPP. The long-term outcomes included correction of penile bending, erection quality, intercourse ability, penile length and sensitivity. The overall satisfaction and impact of surgery on sexual activity and quality of life were also assessed. RESULTS: Of the 32 patients, 13 (40.6%) underwent PEG-only surgery, whereas 19 (59.4%) underwent PEG plus SPP. No significant differences were noted between the groups regarding pre-operative characteristics (all p > 0.1) or intra- and post-operative complication rates (all p > 0.2). The median patch area was larger in the PEG-only group (28 cm2 vs. 16.2 cm2; p = 0.001), whereas patients in the PEG plus SPP group were more likely to receive a single patch implant (100% vs. 53.8%; p < 0.001). The penile length increased in 18 patients (61.6%), with significant differences between the two groups (30% vs. 81.2%; p = 0.03). Overall, 14 patients (53.8%) reported greater satisfaction with their sexual life post-operatively, with comparable rates between the groups (p = 0.2). No significant differences were found in the post-operative 5-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function scores or severe post-operative ED (all p > 0.5). CONCLUSIONS: SPP placement during corporoplasty in patients with mild ED is safe and feasible, and it may be a suitable option for patients uncertain about inflatable prosthesis placement. The use of SPP resulted in longer penile lengths and necessitated smaller grafts. However, further data are required to understand the long-term clinical implications of this approach.

High frequency of concomitant squamous metaplasia in bulbar urethral stricture and its association with reconstructive delay and urethral rest.

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of concomitant squamous metaplasia (SM), the initial histological change from normal urethra to urethral stricture, in bulbar urethral strictures and to investigate the associated clinical factors. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted on 165 male patients with bulbar urethral strictures who underwent excision and primary anastomosis (EPA) between 2010 and 2020, for whom complete clinical data and excised urethral specimens were available. An experienced pathologist histologically evaluated concomitant SM in paraffin sections of the proximal end of the excised urethra blinded to the clinical data. Disease duration was calculated as the period from the initial diagnosis of urethral stricture to the date of EPA. The association between concomitant SM and clinical background was investigated. RESULTS: SM was identified in 86 (52.1%) patients. The median disease duration in patients with SM (38 months) was significantly longer than that in patients without SM (9 months, p < 0.0001). In multivariate analysis, the longer disease duration, non-traumatic stricture etiology, and failure to maintain urethral rest with urinary diversion via a suprapubic tube for more than 90 days were independent factors predicting concomitant SM. No significant difference was observed in success rates of EPA between patients with SM (93.2%) and those without SM (97.5%, p = 0.18). CONCLUSIONS: Reconstructive urologists need to be aware that concomitant SM is frequent in patients with bulbar urethral stricture, especially in those with long disease duration and those who were voiding volitionally during the period of urethral rest.

Long term follow-up on young adults that underwent hypospadias repair through urethral advancement in childhood.

Assess the long-term outcome on cosmetic appearance, voiding, sexual function, and psychological impact of young adults operated by urethral advance (UA) technique in childhood. Patients over 14 years old, who underwent UA hypospadias repair in our centre (2000-2010) were evaluated. All patients presented mid-distal hypospadias with subcoronal or penile meatus and curvature lower than 20°. The cosmetic appearance, urinary and sexual function, body perception and overall satisfaction were assessed through 5 questionnaires. From 2000 to 2010, 143 children underwent UA hypospadias repair. 36 patients between 14 and 27 years were evaluated. The Hypospadias Objective Penile Evaluation (HOPE) showed an average of 8.75 (+/- 0.97), which indicates a good aesthetic result. Voiding dysfunction symptoms were assessed through the American Urological Association Symptom Index (AUASI) where 80.6% had none or mild symptoms and 19.4% had moderate symptoms. Only 11/36 patients were sexually active, according to the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-15) scale, none had erectile dysfunction, and their relationships were satisfactory. Assessment of the body perception through the Genital Perception Scale (GPS) was positive or very positive in 88.9% of the patients. However, the perception of their genitals was positive or very positive in 77.8%, there is a negative correlation between the perception of their body and genitals in 13.9% of the patients. Our results indicate that UA technique for hypospadias repair might be a valid option for the correction of mid-distal hypospadias when indicated.

Preoperative topical estrogen application in the management of hypospadias: a systematic review.

Local estrogen therapy has been explored as an alternative to conventional testosterone therapy in children requiring urethroplasty for hypospadias. Our objective is to evaluate if preoperative estrogen stimulation reduces post-urethroplasty complications and enhances penile dimensions. A systematic search was conducted on various databases, selecting only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that tested estrogen on hypospadias patients under 18 years. Articles underwent sorting following PRISMA guidelines and bias risk was assessed using the JBI clinical appraisal tool for RCTs. Out of 607 screened records, 10 underwent full-text review, and 4 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were selected for analysis. The total patient cohort across studies was 387 with 174 in the estrogen group. All studies utilized topical estrogen, but in different formulations and timings. Prudence is necessary for interpreting results due to variations in formulation, timing, and hypospadias type across studies. Limited by a small number of studies and outcome presentation non-uniformity, the review suggests no change in penile dimensions or postoperative complications with topical estrogen. Further research is needed to explore wound-healing properties of estrogen in hypospadias through animal and human studies.Registration and protocol: Registered in Prospero CRD42024502183.

Staged urethroplasty with groin full-thickness skin graft for managing complex anterior urethral strictures: surgical outcomes and predictive factors.

PURPOSE: To describe outcomes of staged-urethroplasty in complex anterior urethral strictures using full-thickness-skin-graft (FTSG) harvested from the hairless groin area, and to identify factors influencing successful outcomes. METHODS: Through retrospective chart review, we identified a total of 67 men who underwent the first-stage operation (grafting) using groin-FTSG for staged-urethroplasty to treat complex anterior urethral strictures unsuitable for one-stage urethroplasty. Among these, 59 underwent the second-stage operation (tubularization) at a median duration of 5.1-months after grafting. Patients were assessed for outcomes as scheduled after tubularization outcomes were analyzed only for 48 patients for whom ≥ 1-year follow-up data after tubularization were available. Their mean follow-up duration was 27.1 months. Success was defined as achieving physiologic voiding without requiring further procedures. RESULTS: Median stricture-length was 5.5 cm in all 67 patients. After grafting, neourethral-opening-narrowing occurred in 18. Partial graft-loss occurred in 8, of whom only 3 underwent re-grafting. The percentage of patients who achieved successful outcomes was 81.3%. Improvements in maximum-urine-flow-rate and post-void-residual-urine-volume were maintained until the last follow-up visit. A urethrocutaneous-fistula occurred in one patient, while meatal-stenosis occurred in two. On multivariate-regression-analysis, the presence of neourethral-opening-narrowing was the only predictor of non-success after tubularization. Furthermore, the presence of hypertension, longer stricture-length, and a history of prior direct-vision-internal-urethrotomy were predictors of the occurrence of neourethral-opening-narrowing. CONCLUSION: Staged-urethroplasty using groin-FTSG is well worth considering as a useful therapeutic option for complex anterior urethral strictures, with an acceptable success rate and low morbidity. The absence of neourethral-opening-narrowing after the first-stage operation leads to success.

Taping alone for persistent ventral curvature after urethral plate transection in hypospadias.

INTRODUCTION: Ventral penile curvature is a key factor in determining the surgical approach to proximal hypospadias repair. However, there is limited evidence regarding the efficacy and long-term effects of the procedures used to address curvature. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of urethral plate transection alone with tissue traction therapy on penile curvature in two-stage repair of proximal hypospadias. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a prospective study of primary hypospadias patients who underwent a two-stage repair with urethral plate transection as the sole straightening procedure. After stage 1, taping was applied as tissue traction therapy and continued until stage 2. Penile curvature was measured using a goniometer under artificial erection before and immediately after urethral plate transection and during the second stage of repair. The primary focus of this investigation is the angle of curvature after 6-month taping. RESULTS: The study included 46 patients with a median age of 13 months at the start of treatment. The median angle of penile ventral curvature was 70° after degloving, 60° after urethral plate transection, and 0° during the second stage of repair. Full correction of ventral curvature was achieved in 42 patients (91 %). DISCUSSION: This publication is the first of its kind to propose taping as a method for penile traction therapy in hypospadias. The study reveals that penile ventral lengthening can be achieved through tissue traction therapy following UP transection alone. These findings challenge the current consensus that complete straightening of the penis in the first stage is necessary to prevent recurrent curvature and that ventral lengthening is required to correct corporal disproportion. However, further validation and long-term data are needed to definitively confirm the effectiveness of tissue traction therapy after urethral plate transection. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated significant resolution rate of penile ventral curvature in proximal hypospadias following urethral plate transection alone with taping. Long-term follow-up studies are needed to confirm the sustainability of the results through puberty.

Penile reconstruction after complete bladder exstrophy repair.

INTRODUCTION: The decreased penile length in patients born with bladder exstrophy (BE) results partly from pubic symphysis diastasis and the separation of the corporal bodies. Also, intrinsic shortening of anterior corporal compartment, residual penile dorsal curvature, and postsurgical scarred skin share in creation of short penile length. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to look at whether adult men who had bladder exstrophy (BE) surgery as babies needed and benefited from penile reconstruction, which included penile lengthening and repair of any redo penile pathology that was present at the same time. STUDY DESIGN: We reviewed the records of 31 repaired BE patients with mean age of 21.4 ± 3.7 years. The patients complained of their dissatisfaction with short penile length, residual dorsal penile curvature, distal dorsal or hypospadiac urethral opening and scared penopubic skin. The penile lengthening was performed by sub-periosteal detachment of the corporal bodies from the pubic rami in all cases. In 8 patients full thickness dermal grafts were used to penile resurfacing after its lengthening. Twelve patients underwent coronal or glanular urethroplasty. Phalloplasty was performed in one patient using forearm free graft. RESULTS: Subjective evaluation by the patient reported satisfactory results in 25/31 (80.6 %). The degree of penile lengthening measured at 6 months and one year postoperatively showed increased length which varied between 50 % and 150 % of the preoperative penile length. DISCUSSION: We hypothesize that congenital causes, such as short anterior corporeal compartment, wide pubic rami diastasis, and short penile urethra, as well as iatrogenic causes, such as post-surgical peno-pubic scars, could account for the coexisting multifactorial causes of penile shortening in male adults with BE. Penile lengthening is permitted, in our opinion, provided that the crura from the pubic rami is carefully and partially mobilized. CONCLUSIONS: The short phallus, residual dorsal chordee and distal urethroplasty can be corrected successfully in the majority of patients. Adult males with BE may have short penis that requires another reconstructive stage. The short phallus, residual chordee and distal urethroplasty can be corrected` successfully in the majority of patients.

The GUDplay technique: A shift of paradigm in glans reconstruction for midshaft and penoscrotal hypospadias with moderate chordee. A proposal of a new approach.

INTRODUCTION: After 5 years experience with the GUD (glandular urethral disassembly) technique for distal hypospadias, we present the GUDplay technique, incorporating Thiersch-Duplay tubularization of the plate till the coronal area, disassembling the glans aggressively and refurbishing the glans. METHODS: We defined the urethral plate and designed an inverted Y incision to open the glans in two wings. The glans was entirely detached from the corpora to gain a great mobility that allowed minor cranial mobilization of the urethra and caudal rotation of the wings. In sequence, there are well-known steps: Duplay urethroplasty, spongioblasts and a Dartos flap to cover the neourethra. The glans was connected to the urethra by 6.0 PDS sutures except in the ventral meatus and the glans wings are joined in the midline. RESULTS: The 5-year-old patient had midshaft hypospadias without previous surgery. The catheter was removed after a week and the healing appears to be good. DISCUSSION: We combined principles of total glans deconstruction in association to Duplay tubularization and then lifted it up to the tip of the glans divided in two wide and mobile wings. We have treated a small series of 6 cases without complications and mean follow-up of 6.2 months.

Deep Phenotyping the Anterior Urethral Stricture: Characterizing the Relationship Between Inflammation, Fibrosis, Patient History, and Disease Pathophysiology.

PURPOSE: Anterior urethral stricture disease (aUSD) is a complex, heterogeneous condition that is idiopathic in origin for most men. This gap in knowledge rarely affects the current management strategy for aUSD, as urethroplasty does not generally consider etiology. However, as we transition towards personalized, minimally invasive treatments for aUSD and begin to consider aUSD prevention strategies, disease pathophysiology will become increasingly important. The purpose of this study was to perform a deep phenotype of men undergoing anterior urethroplasty for aUSD. We hypothesized that unique biologic signatures and potential targets for intervention would emerge based on stricture presence/absence, stricture etiology, and the presence/absence of stricture inflammation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Men with aUSD undergoing urethroplasty were recruited from one of 5 participating centers. Enrollees provided urethral stricture tissue and blood/serum on the day of surgery and completed patient-reported outcome measure questionnaires both pre- and postoperatively. The initial study had 3 aims: (1) to determine pediatric and adult subacute and repeated perineal trauma (SRPT) exposures using a study-specific SRPT questionnaire, (2) to determine the degree of inflammation and fibrosis in aUSD and peri-aUSD (normal urethra) tissue, and (3) to determine levels of systemic inflammatory and fibrotic cytokines. Two controls groups provided serum (normal vasectomy patients) and urethral tissue (autopsy patients). Cohorts were based on the presence/absence of stricture, by presumed stricture etiology (idiopathic, traumatic/iatrogenic, lichen sclerosus [LS]), and by the presence/absence of stricture inflammation. RESULTS: Of 138 enrolled men (120 tissue/serum; 18 stricture tissue only), 78 had idiopathic strictures, 33 had trauma-related strictures, and 27 had LS-related strictures. BMI, stricture length, and stricture location significantly differed between cohorts (P < .001 for each). The highest BMIs and the longest strictures were observed in the LS cohort. SRPT exposures did not significantly differ between etiology cohorts, with > 60% of each reporting low/mild risk. Stricture inflammation significantly differed between cohorts, with mild to severe inflammation present in 27% of trauma-related strictures, 54% of idiopathic strictures, and 48% of LS strictures (P = .036). Stricture fibrosis did not significantly differ between cohorts (P = .7). Three serum cytokines were significantly higher in patients with strictures compared to stricture-free controls: interleukin-9 (IL-9; P = .001), platelet-derived growth factor-BB (P = .004), and CCL5 (P = .01). No differences were observed in the levels of these cytokines based on stricture etiology. However, IL-9 levels were significantly higher in patients with inflamed strictures than in patients with strictures lacking inflammation (P = .019). Degree of stricture inflammation positively correlated with serum levels of IL-9 (Spearman's rho 0.224, P = .014). CONCLUSIONS: The most common aUSD etiology is idiopathic. Though convention has implicated SRPT as causative for idiopathic strictures, here we found that patients with idiopathic strictures had low SRPT rates that were similar to rates in patients with a known stricture etiology. Stricture and stricture-adjacent inflammation in idiopathic stricture were similar to LS strictures, suggesting shared pathophysiologic mechanisms. IL-9, platelet-derived growth factor-BB, and CCL5, which were elevated in patients with strictures, have been implicated in fibrotic conditions elsewhere in the body. Further work will be required to determine if this shared biologic signature represents a potential mechanism for an aUSD predisposition.

[Non-transecting anastomotic urethroplasty for strictures of the bulbar urethra. Systematic review].

The results of using non-transecting anastomotic urethroplasty in men with bulbous urethral strictures are presented in the review. A total of 25 original publications were found, including 20 foreign and 5 Russian articles. The studies included from 1 to 358 patients who underwent anastomotic urethroplasty without transection of the corpus spongiosum (average number of patients in a study was 54). Etiological factors were indicated in 17 articles. Most studies (10 out of 17) indicated idiopathic etiology as the predominant one. There was no correlation between the results of the procedure and the etiology of urethral stricture. The mean length of urethral stricture in the vast majority of studies was less than 2 cm, and only in a few studies it was larger, with a maximum mean value of 3.9 cm. Postoperative complication rates were reported in 20 studies and ranged from 0% to 23.9% within one study (median 8.4%). In general, mild complications occurred, corresponding to category I-II according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. The incidence of erectile dysfunction was evaluated in 18 studies and ranged from 0% to 23% (average value of 6.5%). The success of non-transecting anastomotic urethroplasty averaged 94.7% (82-100%) with a median postoperative follow-up of 24.5 months (3-150 months). In 9 out of 25 studies, an additional comparison with transecting technique was done. In 6 studies, the superiority of the non-transecting technique in terms of treatment success and preservation of sexual function was found. The obtained results showed the high efficiency and safety of non-transecting anastomotic urethroplasty in case of short strictures of the bulbous urethra.