The Benefits of Using a Small Caliber Ureteroscope in Evaluation and Management of Urethral Stricture.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: The proper evaluation of urethral strictures is an essential part of the surgical planning in urethral reconstruction. The proper evaluation of the stricture can be challenging in certain situations, especially when the meatus is involved. We propose that the use of a small caliber ureteroscope (4.5 Fr and 6.5 Fr) can offer additional help and use for the surgical planning in urethroplasty. METHODS: We prospectively collected data on 76 patients who underwent urethroplasties in Kulkarni Reconstructive Urology Center, Pune, India and Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Center, Thunder Bay, Canada. Patients had retrograde and micturition urethrograms performed preoperatively. The stricture was assessed visually using a 6.5 Fr ureteroscope. If the stricture was smaller than 6.5 Fr, we attempted using the 4.5 Fr ureteroscope. In nonobliterated strictures, we attempted bypassing the stricture making sure not to dilate the stricture. A glide wire would be passed to the bladder under vision. Stricture length, tissue quality, presence of other proximal strictures, false passages, and bladder tumors or stones would be assessed visually. If the penile stricture was near obliterative (smaller than 4.5 Fr caliber), a two-staged procedure is elected to be performed. For proximal bulbar strictures, if the urethral caliber is less than 4.5 Fr and the stricture length is less than 1 cm, we perform a nontransecting anastomotic urethroplasty (NTAU). If the stricture length is >1 cm, we perform a double-face augmented urethroplasty (DFAU). If the urethral caliber is >4.5 Fr and particularly those who are sexually active, ventral inlay with buccal mucosal grafts (BMGs) is performed. In mid to distal bulbar strictures, if the urethral caliber is >4.5 Fr, our procedure of choice is dorsal onlay with BMG. For those with urethral caliber <4.5 Fr and a stricture less than 1 cm, we perform a NTAU. For strictures longer than 1 cm, we perform a DFAU. With the exception of trauma, we very rarely transect the urethra. For panurethral strictures, we almost exclusively perform Kulkarni one-sided dissection. RESULTS: Urethroscopy was performed in 76 patients who presented for urethroplasty from July 2014 to September 2014 (in Pune) and between April 2016 and September 2017 (in Thunder Bay). Bypassing the stricture was achieved in 68 patients (89%) while it was unsuccessful in 8 patients (11%). In all unsuccessful urethroscopies, the stricture was near obliterative <4.5 Fr. Our surgical planning changed in (13) 17% of the cases. Out of 43 bulbar strictures, the decision was changed in (9) 21% where we performed 4 DFAU, 3 AAU (augmented anastomotic urethroplasty), and 2 EAU (end anastomotic urethroplasty). In 13 penile strictures, we opted for staged urethroplasty including 3 Johansons and 1 first-stage Asopa in 30.7%. In 20 panurethral urethroplasties, 1 patient (5%) had a urethral stone found in a proximal portion of the bulbar urethra distal to a stricture ring that was removed using an endoscopic grasper. CONCLUSION: The use of the small caliber ureteroscope can help in evaluation of the stricture caliber, length, and tissue quality. The scope can also aid in placing a guide wire, evaluating the posterior urethra, and screening for urethral or bladder stones. It can also improve the preoperative patient counselling and avoid unwanted surprises.

Management of complex and redo cases of pelvic fracture urethral injuries.

OBJECTIVES: Pelvic fracture urethral injuries (PFUI) result from traumatic disruption of the urethra. A significant proportion of cases are complex rendering their management challenging. We described management strategies for eight different complex PFUI scenarios. METHODS: Our centre is a tertiary referral centre for complex PFUI cases. We maintain a prospective database (1995-2016), which we retrospectively analysed. All patients with PFUI managed at our institute were included. RESULTS: Over two decades 1062 cases of PFUI were managed at our institute (521 primary and 541 redo cases). Most redo cases were referred to us from other centres. Redo cases had up to five prior attempts at urethroplasty. We managed complex cases, which included bulbar ischemia, young boys and girls with PFUI, PFUI with double block, concomitant PFUI and iatrogenic anterior urethral strictures. Bulbar ischemia merits substitution urethroplasty, most commonly, using pedicled preputial tube. PFUI in young girls is usually associated with urethrovaginal fistula. Young boys with PFUI commonly have a long gap necessitating trans-abdominal approach. Our success rate with individualised management is 85.60% in primary cases, 79.13% in redo cases and 82.40% in cases of bulbar ischemia. CONCLUSION: The definition of complex PFUI is ever expanding. The best chance of success is at the first attempt. Anastomotic urethroplasty for PFUI should be performed in experienced hands at high volume centres.

A novel method in decision making for the diagnosis of anterior urethral stricture: using methylene blue dye.

OBJECTIVE: The use of methylene blue dye (MB) to highlight anatomical structures in urology has been well-established. Urethral stricture may extend about a centimeter beyond the abnormal area seen on urethrogram. Although the current literature suggests a tension-free and end- to- end anastomosis after excision of the strictured urethral segment with spongiofibrosis and surrounding corpus spongiosum in short bulbar strictures, some centers dealing with urethroplasty prefer anastomosis for short bulbar strictures while others prefer augmentation. With this study, use of MB for delineating stricture line and assessing spongiofibrosis in the diagnosis of urethral stricture was evaluated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Five cc MB including 10 mg/mL is diluted with 10 cc saline. In the first scenario, MB is gently injected into urethra via the meatus before the urethroplasty procedure. Meanwhile, the extent of urethral segment stained by MB is noted. In the second scenario (MB spongiosography) in short bulbar stricture, insulin needles are inserted in spongiosa of the stricture site distally and proximally. MB is gently injected with distal needle. The two remaining needles are then observed. Presence of MB efflux in proximal needle implies deficiency of significant spongiofibrosis, so buccal augmentation is performed. Absence of efflux of MB implies significant spongiofibrosis and anastomotik site excised. RESULTS: Four hundred and ninety-two consecutive cases prospectively evaluated between 2010 and 2014. Precise staining of stricture was successfully observed in 464 (94%) patients. Grossly normal appearing urothelium remained pink. Histopathology confirmed that the stained urethra had a stricture. Of the 22 short bulbar idiopathic strictures, in 18 (82%) MB was seen across the stricture and urethral transection was avoided. Anastomosis was performed in 4 (18%) cases where no MB went across the primary excision. There were no known allergic complications. CONCLUSION: MB aids in delineating the urethral lumen and exact site of stricture that needs augmentation. MB Spongiography in short bulbar strictures could be used as a beneficial guide in relation to the type of urethral repair to be performed in terms of augmentation versus excision and anastomosis.

A novel composite two-stage urethroplasty for complex penile strictures: A multicenter experience.

INTRODUCTION: Complex penile strictures are usually repaired using a two-stage urethroplasty. Buccal mucosal graft (BMG) placed in the first stage can have a significant contraction rate, which may require a subsequent revision surgery. We describe a composite two-stage penile urethroplasty using BMG for patients of complex penile strictures who have some salvageable urethral plate. METHODS: Within a multi-institutional cohort, 82 patients underwent a two-stage urethroplasty for complex stricture of the penile urethra. Of these 42 patients who underwent our composite two-stage penile urethroplasty using BMG implanted at the second-stage were included. Patients with genital lichen sclerosus or incomplete clinical records were excluded from this study. The primary outcome of the study was to evaluate stricture-free success rate. RESULTS: Of total 42, 4 patients were lost to follow-up. 42% of stricture etiology was failed hypospadias repair. Mean stricture length was 4.5 cm (range 3-8 cm). Seventeen (44.7%) patients had undergone the previous urethroplasty. At a median follow-up of 44 months, of 38 patients, 34 (89.5%) were successful, and 4 (10.5%) had a recurrence. No patient required revision surgery before the second-stage and required redo buccal graft harvesting for subsequent urethroplasty. CONCLUSIONS: The composite two-stage technique in repairing complex penile urethral strictures is a valid and reproducible surgical treatment for complex penile stricture and it may reduce the rate of contraction of the transplanted BMG.

Management of Panurethral Stricture.

Panurethral stricture, involving the penile and bulbar urethra, is seen across the world .It is a complex disease with a relative paucity of literature on the subject. In India, Lichen Sclerosus is the most common cause of panurethral stricture followed by iatrogenic causes. The article presents the authors' experiences of Panurethral stricture repair using a single stage, One side dissection, dorsal onlay repair with oral mucosa graft.

Complex posterior urethral injury.

OBJECTIVE: To assess treatment strategies for seven different scenarios for treating complex pelvic fracture urethral injury (PFUI), categorised as repeat surgery for PFUI, ischaemic bulbar urethral necrosis (BUN), repair in boys and girls aged ⩽12 years, in patients with a recto-urethral fistula, or bladder neck incontinence, or with a double block at the bulbomembranous urethra and bladder neck/prostate region. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the success rates and surgical procedures of these seven complex scenarios in the repair of PFUI at our institution from 2000 to 2013. RESULTS: In all, >550 PFUI procedures were performed at our centre, and 308 of these patients were classified as having a complex PFUI, with 225 patients available for follow-up. The overall success rates were 81% and 77% for primary and repeat procedures respectively. The overall success rate of those with BUN was 76%, using various methods of novel surgical techniques. Boys aged ⩽12 years with PFUI required a transpubic/abdominal approach 31% of the time, compared to 9% in adults. Young girls with PFUI also required a transpubic/abdominal urethroplasty, with a success rate of 66%. In patients with a recto-urethral fistula the success rate was 90% with attention to proper surgical principles, including a three-stage procedure and appropriate interposition. The treatment of bladder neck incontinence associated with the tear-drop deformity gave a continence rate of 66%. Children with a double block at the bulbomembranous urethra and at the bladder neck-prostate junction were all continent after a one-stage transpubic/abdominal procedure. CONCLUSION: An understanding of complex pelvic fractures and their appropriate management can provide successful outcomes.