Prevention of Postoperative Urethral Strictures by Irrigation with 5-Fluorouracil via a Modified Urinary Catheter.

Background and Objectives: Urethral strictures are the most common complications after surgical treatments of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Despite various preventive measures, the search for medications with antiproliferative activity and the development of surgical procedures to prevent the development of urethral strictures are still relevant. We evaluated the preventive efficacy of 5-fluorouracil against urethral strictures in patients undergoing surgery for BPH. Materials and Methods: A non-randomized clinical trial including 246 male patients with an average age of 70.0 ± 8.0 years was conducted. The main study group included 124 patients who, in addition to the standard treatment, received lavage with a 5-fluorouracil solution (1000 mg/20 mL per 500 mL of 0.9% isotonic saline) using a modified three-way urethral catheter. The monitoring of clinical, laboratory, and instrumental parameters was carried out 10 days, 3 months, and 6 months after surgery. Results: The evaluation of severity for dysuria symptoms in patients using the IPSS scale throughout the entire follow-up period showed a statistically significant decrease in ischuria and stranguria, prolongation of the interval between urinations, a decrease in intermittent urination, urinary incontinence, and straining before urination in the main group in comparison with the control patients. The patients of both study groups noted an improvement in the quality of life. It was found statistically significant decrease in the maximum urinary flow rate in the main group (p < 0.001). In the control group, after three months, four cases of urethral strictures and stenosis were recorded; after six months, this rate reached nine cases (7.3%), while in the main group, only one patient with infravesical obstruction was found (0.8%) (χ2 = 3.855, p < 0.05). Conclusions: The results of our study could indicate the effectiveness of the antiproliferative drug 5-fluorouracil in combination with use of a modified catheter in relation to the development of postoperative urethral strictures.

Does primary urethral realignment improve the outcome of pediatric pelvic fracture urethral injury? A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of primary urethral realignment in the prevention of urethral stenosis and in simplifying delayed urethroplasty after complete pelvic fracture urethral injury in male children. METHODS: This randomized comparative trial included 40 boys <18 years with complete pelvic fracture urethral injury. The initial management was a primary urethral realignment in 20 boys and suprapubic cystostomy alone in the remaining 20 boys. The boys who underwent primary urethral realignment were assessed regarding the development of urethral stenosis. Boys who needed to be delayed urethroplasty in the two groups were compared regarding urethral defect length, intraoperative details, postoperative outcomes, number of procedures, and time to achieve normal voiding. RESULTS: Although 14 (70%) patients were able to void after primary urethral realignment, all of them developed urethral stenosis and needed delayed urethroplasty. No statistically significant difference between the two groups was found regarding urethral defect length, intraoperative details, and postoperative outcomes. Patients in the primary urethral realignment group underwent significantly more procedures (p < 0.001) and took a significantly longer time to achieve normal voiding (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Primary urethral realignment is neither able to prevent urethral stenosis nor effective in simplifying later urethroplasty after complete pelvic fracture urethral injury in male children. It exposes the patients to more surgical procedures and a prolonged clinical course.

A novel stricture prevention technique in blunt urethral injury: A multi-center retrospective observational study.

PURPOSE: Bulbar injury is the most common type of urethral injury. This study investigated the efficacy and safety of a novel technique, local urethral flushing, in preventing stricture formation after blunt bulbar urethra injuries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 205 males diagnosed with straddle injury-induced bulbar urethra injury at the Shanxi Bethune Hospital and First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University between January 2015 and January 2019. Patients were diagnosed by retrograde urethrography and classified as partial or complete urethral rupture according to the urethral integrity after injury. Complete urethral rupture patients received suprapubic cystostomy and received urethroplasty 3 months later. Patients with partial urethral rupture underwent endoscopic urethral realignment by cystoscopic guide-wire guided catheterization. Patients with both injury types were divided into 3 groups. The treatment groups received urethral flushing with 0.05% dexamethasone through a secondary ureteral catheter that locked at the urethral lesion. The blank control groups received normal saline. The negative control groups had only a single ureteral catheter placed. Patients were assessed for pain during catheterization, infection, and stenosis, and followed for at least 2 years. RESULTS: Stenosis rates and length were significantly reduced in the normal saline groups, and even further reduced in the dexamethasone groups. The negative control groups had significantly higher infection rates than patients in the dexamethasone or saline groups. CONCLUSIONS: Local urethral flushing with dexamethasone could significantly decrease urethral stenosis rates and severity without increasing patients' discomfort or infection risk.

Does the use of a small-size resectoscope during enucleation prevent transient urinary leakage and urethral stricture following holmium laser enucleation of the prostate?

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of the use of a small-size resectoscope for enucleation during holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) on the prevention of transient urinary leakage (TUL) and urethral stricture (US). METHODS: One hundred patients were included in a retrospective single-center study from January 2019 to December 2020. The patients were divided into two groups according to the resectoscope size which was used for enucleation (22F in group A [n = 40] and 26F in group B [n = 60]). Patients were evaluated at 4, 12, and 24 weeks postoperatively for TUL and US. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were implemented to assess the variables which are associated with TUL at 4 weeks. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics and perioperative data were observed to be well balanced between groups. A statistically significant higher occurrence of TUL was detected at 4 weeks in group B compared to group A (P = .018). Higher improvement in International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and quality of life (QoL) was observed in group A at 4 and 12 weeks postoperatively. On univariate analysis, resectoscope size, specimen weight, and body mass index were significant predictive factors for TUL at 4 weeks. Multivariate analysis illustrated that the resectoscope size was independently associated with TUL at 4 weeks after HoLEP (odds ratio = 3.1 [1.02-9.38]). One patient in group A (2.5%) and two patients in group B (5%) demonstrated US (P = .648). CONCLUSION: Enucleation with a 22F resectoscope provides better QoL and IPSS by reducing TUL rates in the early postoperative period.

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.

Triangular extension of hinge flaps: A novel technique to resolve stomal stenosis and prevent restenosis in staged buccal mucosal urethroplasty.

OBJECTIVES: To verify the utility of triangular extension of a hinge flap in buccal mucosal staged urethroplasty to resolve stomal stenosis after the first stage and ultimately prevent restenosis. METHODS: A total of 23 patients (triangular extension group) were studied in 2013-2019. In the first stage, buccal mucosa was transplanted, and an extended triangle portion of the mucosa was placed beside the proximal and/or distal stoma that was created when the stricture segment of the urethra was resected. In the second stage, during tubularization of the urethral plate, an incision was made at the stoma to increase the caliber to which the triangular extension was inserted. The procedure was considered successful when a 17-Fr flexible cystoscope passed through the reconstructed urethra at 6 months after the second-stage urethroplasty and no additional surgery or bougie dilation required. The clinical course of the triangular extension group was compared with 24 patients who underwent conventional staged urethroplasty (control group). RESULTS: In total, 20 patients from each group underwent second-stage surgery. No patients in the triangular extension group required additional revision surgery because of stomal stenosis after first-stage surgery, whereas five (20%) control patients did. Urethroplasty was successful in 19 patients (95%) in the triangular extension group and in 19 patients (95%) in the control group. Uroflowmetry after the second-stage surgery indicated that the mean maximum urinary flow rate was 21.5 and 15.8 mL/s after triangular extension and the control procedure, respectively (P = 0.027). CONCLUSIONS: The triangular extension technique reduces the need for revision surgery and prevents postoperative restenosis.

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.

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.

Effects of poloxamer-based thermo-sensitive sol-gel agent on urethral stricture after transurethral resection of the prostate for benign prostatic hyperplasia: a multicentre, single-blinded, randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of poloxamer-based thermo-sensitive sol-gel instillation, after transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), for preventing urethral stricture. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In all, 198 patients underwent TURP for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Recruited patients were randomly divided into two groups: groups A and B. Patients in Group A (100 patients, experimental group) received poloxamer-based thermo-sensitive sol-gel instillation and patients in the Group B (98 patients, control group) received lubricant instillation after TURP. Each patient was evaluated at 4 (V1), 12 (V2), and 24 weeks (V3) after TURP. The effectiveness of poloxamer-based thermo-sensitive sol-gel instillation was evaluated based on the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), IPSS-Quality of Life (QoL), Overactive bladder questionnaire (OAB-q), maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax ), post-void residual urine volume (PVR), and cystoscopy. RESULTS: Amongst the initial 198 participants, 80 patients in Group A and 83 in Group B completed the study. There were no significant differences in IPSS-QoL and OAB-q between the groups. However, Qmax was significantly different between groups A and B, at a mean (SD) of 18.92 (9.98) vs 15.58 (9.24) mL/s (P = 0.028) at 24 weeks after TURP. On cystoscopic examination, urethral stricture after TURP was found in two of the 80 patients in Group A and 10 of 83 in Group B (P = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: Poloxamer-based thermo-sensitive sol-gel instillation after TURP lowered the incidence of urethral stricture.

A novel slit-integration method of graft urethroplasty in the prevention of ring recurrence: Short-term results of a pilot study.

Purpose: To describe and evaluate the efficacy of the slit-integration method in the prevention of ring recurrence after graft substitution urethroplasty. Materials and Methods: This was a pilot study of selected patients with urethral stricture disease who required urethroplasty from January 2016 to December 2018. Patients were recruited into the study after they granted informed consent about the procedure. Results: A total of eight patients were involved in this pilot study. The mean age (±standard deviation, SD) of the patients and the mean stricture length (±SD) were 44.25 (±11.07) years and 3.88 (±1.25) cm, respectively. The peno-bulbar region was the most frequently involved. The majority of the patients, 7 of 8 patients, underwent buccal mucosal graft repair with a mean graft length of 5.88 cm (range, 4-8 cm). There was leak during pericatheter urethrography in one patient. The mean (±SD) urethral calibers of the distal and proximal urethral anastomotic sites following urethroplasty were 26.00 (±1.85) and 25.25 (±1.83) at 1 week after removal of the urethral catheter stent and 27.75 (±0.71) and 27.75 (±0.71) at 12 months postoperatively, respectively. The mean maximum flow rate (±SD) at the 6- and 12-month follow-up was 20.25 (±1.83) and 21.88 (±1.73) mL/s, respectively. Conclusions: A slit-graft appropriately quilted into the corresponding urethrotomy incisions at the proximal and distal summit of the urethral stricture segments appears to mitigate the occurrence of ring contracture after urethroplasty. A randomized controlled trial of this technique with additional outcome assessment will be required to validate this observation.

Straddle injuries to the bulbar urethra: What is the best choice for immediate management?

BACKGROUND: Cystostomy, endoscopic realignment, and emergency anastomosis are three methods used to treat bulbous urethral injury (BUI). The aim of the study is to determine the optimal management. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed on 328 male patients with blunt straddle injury to the perineum. In total, 304 patients were included in the analysis due to strict criteria. Among these 304 patients, 197 had partial urethral disruption diagnosed, and 107 had complete urethral disruption. Group placement of the patients was based on the extent of injury. Each group was further divided into two subgroups based on the immediate management. Propensity score matching was used to correct for differences in baseline characteristics. RESULTS: In the partial disruption group, the propensity score-matched subgroups set comprised of 164 patients. Of the 82 patients treated with endoscopic realignment, 34 (41.5%) patients required no urethral surgery, in contrast to 12 (14.6%) patients with cystostomy (p < 0.05). No significant difference was found in the other respects (p > 0.05). In the complete disruption group, the propensity score-matched subgroups set comprised of 104 patients. The success rate of emergency anastomosis was 90.4% (47 patients), and urethral stricture occurred in five patients (96%), while urethral stricture developed in all 52 patients in the cystostomy subgroup. With regard to surgical management of complications, the choice of management methods significantly differed between the two subgroups (all, p < 0.05). The time to natural urination and duration of hospital stay were significantly shorter in the emergency anastomosis subgroup (29.1 ± 5.4 days vs. 57.1 ± 6.4 days; 7.2 ± 3.1 days vs. 12.5 ± 2.3 days; each p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Endoscopic realignment is associated with a lower stricture rate than cystostomy as immediate management for partial disruption. Emergency anastomosis provides better clinical outcomes for patients with complete disruption. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV.

Autologous platelet-rich plasma covering urethroplasty versus dartos flap in distal hypospadias repair: A prospective randomized study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcome and complication rate of the platelet-rich plasma applied as a coverage layer and dartos flap layer during primary repair of distal hypospadias. METHODS: A prospective randomized study was carried out comprising 180 boys (age range 12-65 months) from October 2011 to December 2016 at Al-Azhar University Hospitals, Cairo, Egypt. A single surgeon carried out all urethroplasty. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: group A (tubularized incised plate urethroplasty with platelet-rich plasma coverage layer) and group B (ventral dartos flap). Complication rates were compared between two groups. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in the occurrence of complications between the two groups. A total of 36 (20%) complications were recorded in 26 patients, just 12 (13.3%) reported in group A, but 24 (26.7%) complications were reported in group B. Urethrocutaneous fistula was observed in nine patients (10%) in group A, and 12 (13.3%) in group B. Partial glans dehiscence occurred in one patient in group A, and four patients in group B. No patient in group A had a superficial wound infection, compared with six patients in group B. One case of meatal stenosis and urethral stricture was recorded in each group, all of which were managed conservatively. The resultant urinary stream was single and good in 154 patients of both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Platelet-rich plasma sheet might be considered as an alternative coverage layer for distal hypospadias repair, especially in the absence of a healthy layer.

Comparative study of urethroplasties to reduce urethral strictures in patients with severe hypospadias.

OBJECTIVE: Transverse island pedicle flap (TIPF) plus transected urethral plate-preserving urethroplasty is increasingly used for treatment of severe hypospadias. We aimed to reduce the occurrence of urethral strictures in patients undergoing such procedures. METHODS: Sixty-five patients with severe hypospadias were enrolled. Thirty-two patients underwent onlay-tube-onlay urethroplasty (Group A), and 33 patients underwent modified Duplay urethroplasty (Group B). Postoperative complications were recorded, including fistulas, urethral strictures, and diverticula. RESULTS: Three patients (9.4%) in Group A and 10 patients (30.3%) in group B had urethrocutaneous fistulas. Three patients (9.4%) in Group A and 0 patients (0%) in Group B had urethral strictures. No patient in the two groups had symptoms of diverticulum or penile chordee. The results of uroflowmetry were better in Group B than Group A, when comparing uroflow patterns. CONCLUSIONS: TIPF plus transected urethral plate-preserving urethroplasty can lower the occurrence of stricture, which is a challenging complication. The occurrence of stricture was lower in patients who underwent modified Duplay urethroplasty, and neourethral function and quality were better in these patient. Thus, this modified procedure can be used for treatment of severe hypospadias.

[Anti-cicatricial and anti-restenosis effect of verapamil on anterior urethral stricture: A randomized controlled clinical trial].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the anti-cicatricial and anti-restenosis effect of verapamil on anterior urethral stricture.
 Methods: A total of 32 patients received anterior urethral stricture were enrolled in this study. They were divided into 4 blocks according to the duration of previous urethral operations and dilations. Every block was further randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group. Experimental groups received 2 mL injection of verapamil around the anastomosis site of urethra before and after the surgery (2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 weeks after the surgery), while the control groups only received the anastomosis surgery. After surgery, maximal urinary flow rate (Qmax) was examined for all patients once the catheter was removed. In addition, they were also conducted palpation of urethral scar range. The sum of long transverse diameters of urethral scar was measured, and the narrowest urethral inner diameter was examined. The Qmax was rechecked and the urethral scar range was assessed by penis color Doppler elastography after 12 weeks of surgery. The above 4 indexes were used to evaluate the inhibitory effect of verapamil on urethral scar.
 Results: The length of palpated urethral scar in the Block 1 to 4 of the experimental groups was (22.75±1.03), (21.25±0.25), (20.75±1.03), and (20.0±0.58) mm, respectively; and those in the control groups (26.00±0.82), (24.5±1.04), (25.75±1.65), and (28.25±1.75) mm, respectively. The Qmax rates in the Block 1 to 4 of the experimental groups were (11.85±0.77), (11.33±0.81), (10.23±0.26), and (10.35±0.17) mL/s, respectively; and those in the control groups were (10.85±0.39), (10.50±0.76), (10.53±1.00), (12.60±0.39) mL/s, respectively. The Qmax rates in the Block 1 to 4 of the experimental groups were (11.73±0.87), (10.65±0.25), (10.23±0.19), and (10.35±0.29) mL/s, respectively; and those in the control groups were (8.05±0.28), (7.73±0.68), (7.53±0.92), and (9.60±0.32) mL/s, respectively. The narrowest diameters of urethral in the Block 1 to 4 of the experimental groups were (9.00±0.58), (7.50±2.89), (7.00±0.10), and (7.00±0.41) mm, respectively; and those in the control groups were (5.50±0.29), (5.00±0.41), (4.75±0.48), and (6.75±0.48) mm, respectively. The ultrasound strain ratio in the Block 1 to 4 of the experimental groups were 6.10±0.22, 6.10±0.17, 5.10±0.16, and 6.90±0.19, respectively; and those in the control groups were 8.00±0.25, 10.60±0.29, 11.30±0.16, and 8.90±0.33, respectively. Compared with the control groups, the experimental groups displayed smaller urethral scar range, less severe scarring, improved Qmax rates and wider inner diameters (all P<0.05).
 Conclusion: Urethral regional injection of verapamil intraoperatively or postoperatively can prevent overgrowth of urethral scar tissues after the transperineal anastomosis surgery, and reduce the tendency of postoperative restenosis of anterior urethral stricture.

[Application of buccal mucosa with Snodgrass procedure for repair of hypospadias].

Objective: To present method and experiences in using the buccal mucosa with the Snodgrass procedure for repair of hypospadias. Methods: Between August 2012 and April 2015, 55 boys with hypospadias were treated with Snodgrass procedure combined with buccal mucosa. The age ranged from 1 to 7 years (mean, 4 years). There were 32 cases of distal penile type, 14 cases of proximal penile type, and 9 cases of coronal sulcus type. The buccal mucosa taking from inner cheek was fixed into the incised urethral plate. The urethral plate was tubularized over a catheter. Results: All the patients were followed up 3-25 months (mean, 11 months). After operation, 1 patient had urethral stricture and fistula after repaired urethra was infected, and 5 patients had fistula. For the others, the urination was smooth, the appearance of penis was satisfying, the urethral stricture did not occur, and the penis was straightened completely. Conclusion: Compared with traditional Snodgrass procedure, the application of buccal mucosa can increase the reconstruction material of urethral and reduce the stricture of the repaired urethra after operation.

Urethral Complications After Transgender Phalloplasty: Strategies to Treat Them and Minimize Their Occurrence.

Radial forearm free flap phalloplasty (RFFP) is the current standard of care for most FTM gender confirmation surgeries. This procedure is associated with a rate of urethral stricture as high as 51%, which falls only to 23-35% even among the most experienced contemporary surgeons. While some modifications have been proposed to combat this high complication rate, it still remains a major source of lasting morbidity. The method involves literature review of RFFP literature. Lowest stricture rates are found when neourethra is made with a long, meticulously constructed tube of well-vascularized perivaginal/periurethral and labia minora tissue. In cases of urethral stricture, urethroplasty is required in 94-96% of patients. Surgery should be delayed until all acute inflammation has subsided. Urethroplasty is technically challenging and fails in up to 50% of cases. Repeated surgery or salvage urethral exteriorization procedures, which can leave the patient with lifelong perineal urethrostomy, are often required. Patient and physician knowledge regarding the high burden and poor treatment options for urethral stricture after phalloplasty is incomplete, and patient acceptance of this reality is crucial for honest understanding of the potential complications of this increasingly common but extremely complex surgery. Clin. Anat. 31:187-190, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Anti-fibrotic function of Cu-bearing stainless steel for reducing recurrence of urethral stricture after stent implantation.

Recurrent stenosis is the main reason inducing the failure of urethral stricture treatment. Our previous study has found that the 316L type Cu bearing stainless steel (316L-Cu SS) showed antimicrobial activity and anti-encrustation performance when it was used for relieving urethral obstructer. However, whether it can reduce the occurrence of fibrosis or not, we need further investigation to compare the cellular and molecular responses of human urethral scar fibroblast cells (USFCs) on 316L-Cu SS and medical grade 316L stainless (316L SS, as a control). [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4- sulfophenyl)- 2H-tetrazolium (MTS) and Transwell were used to assess the cellular responses, which confirmed that 316L-Cu SS could inhibit proliferation and migration of USFCs. Molecular expressions of fibrosis were evaluated by western blot, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD) measurement. The results indicated that up-regulating of CuZnSOD attenuated the transforming growth factor-ß1 expression and phosphorylation of Smad3 after exposure to 316L-Cu SS. Besides, the content of collagen type I (COL1) and collagen type III (COL3) secreting into the culture medium measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were in accord with the results of messenger ribonucleic acids. Both of them exhibited lower levels of COL1/COL3 exposure to 316L-Cu SS, demonstrating the inhibitory performance of 316L-Cu SS against fibrosis. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 2019-2028, 2018.

Effect of Mitomycin - C and Triamcinolone on Preventing Urethral Strictures

ABSTRACT Urethral stricture is a common disease with high recurrence rate. Several manipulations were defined to prevent the recurrence but the results were disappointing. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of triamcinolone and mitomycin-C on urethral stricture formation and their effect on inhibition of urethral fibrosis. A total of 24 New Zealand rabbits were divided into 3 groups. Urethras of rabbits were traumatized with pediatric resectoscope. Resection area was irrigated with 10mL saline, swapped with a cotton wool soaked with 0.5mg/mL MMC and injected by 40mg triamcinolone in groups 1, 2 and 3 respectively. Retrograde urethrogram was performed at 28th day of procedure and the urethra was removed for histopathologic evaluation. There were significant differences in urethral diameters and in lumen reduction rate between the control and study groups (p<0.001). Compared to control group, all treatment groups showed mild fibrosis, less collagen bundle irregularity, and lower numbers of fibroblasts (p=0.003). The Tunnel assay showed that the number of apoptotic cells in the submucosal connective tissue was quantitatively higher in control groups (p=0.034). In the view of efficacy and safety, MMC and triamcinolone have the potential to replace the use of stents, clean intermittent catheterization, or long term catheters following internal urethrotomy. There were no statistically significant differences between two agents in terms of preventing urethral stricture formation in the present study. Mitomycin C and triamcinolone decreased the recurrence rates of urethral stricture.

Phalloplasty with Urethral Lengthening: Addition of a Vascularized Bulbospongiosus Flap from Vaginectomy Reduces Postoperative Urethral Complications.

BACKGROUND: Phalloplasty with urethral lengthening is the procedure of choice for female-to-male transgender patients who desire an aesthetic phallus and standing micturition, but is associated with complications, including urethral stricture and fistula formation. Horizontal urethra construction can be accomplished with labia minora flaps covered with additional vascularized layers of vestibular tissue when vaginectomy is performed concomitantly with phalloplasty. However, vaginectomy is not a requisite step in phalloplasty, and some individuals may choose to retain their vagina. In these cases, extra layers of vascularized vestibular tissue are not used for horizontal urethra coverage. This study examined the effects of vaginectomy and the addition of extra layers of vascularized vestibular tissue on phalloplasty complication rates. METHODS: A single-center retrospective study of 224 patients who underwent phalloplasty with urethral lengthening was performed. Patients were sorted into vaginectomy and vaginal preservation cohorts and complication rates were assessed. RESULTS: Of 224 total phalloplasty patients, 215 underwent vaginectomy and nine underwent vaginal preservation. Urethral complications occurred in 27 percent of patients with vaginectomy and in 67 percent of patients with vaginal preservation (OR, 0.18; p = 0.02). Vaginectomy was associated with decreased urethral stricture (OR, 0.25; p = 0.047) and urethral fistula formation (OR, 0.13; p = 0.004). Non-urethra-related complications occurred in 15 percent of vaginectomy patients but were not statistically significant (OR, 3.37; p = 0.41). CONCLUSION: Vaginectomy is associated with a significant decrease in urethral stricture and fistula formation, most likely because vaginectomy affords additional horizontal urethroplasty suture line coverage of labia minora flaps with vascularized vestibular tissue. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, III.

Modified platelet-rich plasma with transforming growth factor ß1 neutralization antibody injection may reduce recurrence rate of urethral stricture.

Urethral stricture is one of the most bothersome urologic disease among urologists and has a substantial impact on quality of life and healthcare costs. Although it can be cured with internal urethrotomy easily, post-surgery stricture recurrence is challenging. Several adjuvant therapies have been used in conjunction with internal urethrotomy but none of them are used routinely because the pathophysiology of the disease is still obscure. Fibrosis is the most accused hypothesis for the action. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous blood product containing a high concentration of platelets that is being used for a very wide range of clinical healing applications. It comprises a concentration of fundamental protein growth factors shown to be actively excreted by platelets to initiate accurate wound healing. Although PRP can play a critical role in wound healing and has been used in fibrotic diseases successfully, it has some deleterious cytokines such as transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF ß1) which can also cause fibrosis. The new hypothesis is that the subcutaneous injection of neutralized platelet-rich plasma with TGFß1 antibody at the planned urethrotomy site may prevent recurrence and provide superior healing and long-term results.