Deciphering the enigma of female urethral strictures: A systematic review and meta-analysis of management modalities.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the management methods of female urethral stricture (FUS) and analyze the outcomes of surgical treatments. A meta-analysis was done in an attempt to identify the best approach of urethroplasty and the graft-of-choice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic search of Pubmed/Medline and Embase databases was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items For Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis statement, for articles reporting on FUS management in the last decade. The Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used to assess the quality of 28 included non-randomized studies. The data on FUS management was summarized and pooled success rates (taken as symptom improvement and no need for further instrumentation) were compared. The secondary outcome was to establish a diagnostic modality of choice and define a "successful-outcome" of repair. RESULTS: The outcome was separately reported for 554 women undergoing surgical intervention for FUS in the literature. The criteria defining FUS were varied. A combination of tests was used for diagnosis as none was singularly conclusive. A total of 301 patients had previous urethral instrumentations. The pooled success rate of urethral dilatation (234 women) was 49% at a mean follow-up of 32 months; flap urethroplasty (108 cases) was 92% at a mean follow-up of 42 months; buccal mucosal graft (BMG) urethroplasty (133 cases) was 89% at a mean follow-up of 19 months; vaginal graft augmentation (44 cases) was 87% at a mean follow-up of 15 months; and labial graft reconstruction (19 cases) was 89% at a mean follow-up of 18.4 months. The dorsal approach of graft augmentation met with 88% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.79-0.95) success compared with 95% (95% CI 0.86-1) for the ventral approach. CONCLUSION: FUS is a rare condition requiring a meticulous diagnostic workup using multiple tests. All urethroplasties have shown better pooled success rates (86%-93%) compared with dilatation (49%). BMG is equally effective as vaginal graft urethroplasty.

Meatal-sparing dorsal onlay vaginal graft urethroplasty: widening the surgical horizons of female urethral stricture.

AIM OF THE VIDEO: Female urethral stricture is an uncommon but challenging entity in the spectrum of female pelvic dysfunctions. There are various reconstructive techniques but none can be recommended over another. We present a case of meatal-sparing dorsal onlay vaginal graft urethroplasty as a surgical variation of the standard dorsal approach. This is a step to improve the results of the dorsal approach and overcome its limitations. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this video we present meatal-sparing dorsal onlay vaginal graft urethroplasty as a modification of the conventional dorsal approach. RESULTS: Sexual function can be preserved by dorsal plane dissection away from the clitoral neurovascular bundle. Excessive blood loss is avoided by limited mobilisation and dissection of the urethra. Meatal reconstruction is avoided by slitting the urethra directly over the strictured mid-urethral segment, thus averting a widened meatus and spraying of the urinary stream. CONCLUSION: Female urethroplasty provides excellent cure rates. Meatal-sparing dorsal onlay vaginal graft urethroplasty can be considered in mid- and proximal urethral strictures. This simple and effective approach can widen the surgical horizons in the treatment of female urethral stricture and reduce its complications.

Technical modifications in dorsal onlay female urethroplasty: Time to make way for amendments.

OBJECTIVE: Surgical treatment for female urethral stricture is varied and lacks consensus. Dorsal and ventral approaches of urethroplasty have comparable success rate with debatable limitations. We describe modifications in dorsal onlay graft urethroplasty to mitigate the surgical limitations and improve functional outcomes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 8 patients with strictures treated with dorsal onlay urethroplasty at our center. The inclusion criteria were American Urology Association (AUA) score >20, calibration <14 Fr, positive voiding cystourethrogram, urodynamics with maximum urine flow rate (Qmax) <12 mL/s, detrusor pressure at maximum flow >24 cmH2O, and urethroscopic visualization of the stricture. Surgical modifications included dorsal plane dissection away from the clitoris; limited lateral urethral dissection; omitting graft quilting onto the clitoris, and urethral slitting directly at the stricture site (for mid and proximal strictures), sparing the meatus and using canoe-shaped grafts for distal strictures. Success was defined as improvement in the AUA scores and Qmax >12 mL/s, without requiring any further intervention. RESULTS: The mean age was 50.5±10.6 years. Statistically significant improvements in mean AUA score [14.5±2.20 (p=0.012)], Qmax [23.63±2.44 (p=0.012)], post-void residual urine [107.88±40.37 (p=0.012)], and sexual function scores [6.833±2.23 (p=0.027)] were noted at a mean follow-up of 3 months. Distal strictures were more common. Mean urethral caliber was 9.62 Fr. No cases of de novo incontinence or sexual dissatisfaction were reported. CONCLUSION: In our experience, the dorsal onlay technique works well, but without a comparative evidence for ventral onlay, it is difficult to conclude that one is preferred over the other.