Minimizing Antibiotic Use in Urethral Reconstruction.

PURPOSE: There are no established guidelines regarding management of antibiotics for patients specifically undergoing urethral reconstruction. Our aim was to minimize antibiotic use by following a standardized protocol in the pre-, peri- and postoperative setting, and adhere to American Urological Association antibiotic guidelines. We hypothesized that prolonged suppressive antibiotics post-urethroplasty does not prevent urinary tract infection and/or wound infection rates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively treated 900 patients undergoing urethroplasty or perineal urethrostomy at 11 centers over 2 years. The first-year cohort A received prolonged postoperative antibiotics. Year 2, cohort B, did not receive prolonged antibiotics. A standardized protocol following the American Urological Association guidelines for perioperative antibiotics was used. The 30-day postoperative infectious complications were determined. We used chi-square analysis to compare the cohorts, and multivariate logistic regression to identify risk factors. RESULTS: The mean age of participants in both cohorts was 49.7 years old and the average stricture length was 4.09 cm. Overall, the rate of postoperative urinary tract infection and wound infection within 30 days was 5.1% (6.7% in phase 1 vs 3.9% in phase 2, p=0.064) and 3.9% (4.1% in phase 1 vs 3.7% in phase 2, p=0.772), respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis of patient characteristics and operative factors did not reveal any factors predictive of postoperative infections. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a standardized protocol minimized antibiotic use and demonstrated no benefit to prolonged antibiotic use. There were no identifiable risk factors when considering surgical characteristics. Given the concern of antibiotic over-prescription, we do not recommend prolonged antibiotic use after urethral reconstruction.

Defining Success after Anterior Urethroplasty: An Argument for a Universal Definition and Surveillance Protocol.

PURPOSE: A successful urethroplasty has been defined in different ways across studies. This variety in the literature makes it difficult to compare success rates and techniques across studies. We aim to evaluate the success of anterior urethroplasty based on different definitions of success in a single cohort. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were collected from a multi-institutional, prospectively maintained database. We included men undergoing first-time, single-stage, anterior urethroplasty between 2006 and 2020. Exclusion criteria included lack of followup, hypospadias, extended meatotomy, perineal urethrostomy, posterior urethroplasty and staged repairs. We compared 5 different ways to define a "failed" urethroplasty: 1) stricture retreatment, 2) anatomical recurrence on cystoscopy, 3) peak flow rate <15 ml/second, 4) weak stream on questionnaire and 5) failure by any of these measures. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were generated for each of the definitions. We also compared outcomes by stricture length, location and etiology. RESULTS: A total of 712 men met inclusion criteria, including completion of all types of followup. The 1- and 5-year estimated probabilities of success were "retreatment," 94% and 75%; "cystoscopy," 88% and 71%; "uroflow," 84% and 58%; "questionnaire," 67% and 37%; and "any failure," 57% and 23%. This pattern was inconsistent across stricture length, location and etiology. CONCLUSIONS: The estimated probability of success after first-time, anterior urethroplasty is highly dependent on the way success is defined. The variability in definitions in the literature has limited our ability to compare urethroplasty outcomes across studies.

Urethroscopic Findings following Urethroplasty Predict the Need for Secondary Intervention in the Long Term: A Multi-Institutional Study from Trauma and Urologic Reconstructive Network of Surgeons.

PURPOSE: Postoperative surveillance urethroscopy has been shown to be an effective tool to predict reoperation within 1 year after urethroplasty. We aimed to evaluate early surveillance urethroscopy findings and long-term outcomes among urethroplasty patients in order to define the value of surveillance urethroscopy to predict failure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 304 patients with at least 4 years of followup after urethroplasty performed at 10 institutions across the United States and Canada. All patients were surveilled using a flexible 17Fr cystoscope and were categorized into 3 groups: 1) normal lumen, 2) large-caliber stricture (≥17Fr) defined as the ability of the cystoscope to easily pass the narrowing and 3) small-caliber stricture (<17Fr) that the cystoscope could not be passed. Failure was stricture recurrence requiring a secondary intervention. RESULTS: The median followup time was 64.4 months (range 55.3-80.6) and the time to initial surveillance urethroscopy was 3.7 months (range 3.1-4.8) following urethroplasty. Secondary interventions were performed in 29 of 194 (15%) with normal lumens, 11 of 60 (18.3%) with ≥17Fr strictures and 32 of 50 (64%) with <17Fr strictures (p <0.001). The 1-, 3- and 9-year cumulative probability of intervention was 0.01, 0.06 and 0.23 for normal, 0.05, 0.17 and 0.18 for ≥17Fr, and 0.32, 0.50 and 0.73 for <17Fr lumen groups, respectively. Patient-reported outcome measures performed poorly to differentiate the 3 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Early cystoscopic visualization of scar recurrence that narrows the lumen to <17Fr following urethroplasty is a significant long-term predictor for patients who will eventually undergo a secondary intervention.

The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma Renal Grading System-Should Segmental Kidney Infarction be Classified as a Grade IV Injury?

PURPOSE: In 2018 the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma revised renal injury grading. One change was inclusion of segmental kidney infarction under grade IV injuries. We aimed to assess how segmental kidney infarction will change the scope of grade IV injuries and compare bleeding control interventions in those with and without isolated segmental kidney infarction. METHODS: We used high grade renal trauma data from 7 level 1 trauma centers from 2013 to 2018 as part of the Multi-institutional Genito-Urinary Trauma Study. Initial computerized tomography scans were reviewed to regrade the injuries. Injuries were categorized as isolated segmental kidney infarction if segmental parenchymal infarction was the only reason for inclusion under grade IV injury. All other grade IV injuries (including combined injury patterns) were categorized as without isolated segmental kidney infarction. Bleeding interventions were compared between those with and without isolated segmental kidney infarction. RESULTS: From 550 patients with high grade renal trauma and available computerized tomography, 250 (45%) were grade IV according to the 2018 American Association for the Surgery of Trauma grading system. Of these, 121 (48%) had isolated segmental kidney infarction. The majority of patients with isolated segmental kidney infarction (88%) would have been assigned a lower grade using the original 1989 grading system. Rate of bleeding control interventions was lower in isolated segmental kidney infarction compared to other grade IV injuries (7% vs 21%, p=0.002). Downgrading all patients with isolated segmental kidney infarction to grade III did not change the grading system's associations with bleeding interventions. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately half of the 2018 American Association for the Surgery of Trauma grade IV injuries have isolated segmental kidney infarction. Including isolated segmental kidney infarction in grade IV injuries increases the heterogeneity of these injuries without increasing the grading system's ability to predict bleeding interventions. In future iterations of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma renal trauma grading isolated segmental kidney infarction could be reclassified as grade III injury.

Outcomes and Risk Factors of Revision and Replacement Artificial Urinary Sphincter Implantation in Radiated and Nonradiated Cases.

PURPOSE: Risk factors for complications after artificial urinary sphincter surgery include a history of pelvic radiation and prior artificial urinary sphincter complication. The survival of a second artificial urinary sphincter in the setting of prior device complication and radiation is not well described. We report the survival of redo artificial urinary sphincter surgery and identify risk factors for repeat complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multi-institutional database was queried for redo artificial urinary sphincter surgeries. The primary outcome was median survival of a second and third artificial urinary sphincter in radiated and nonradiated cases. A Cox proportional hazards survival analysis was performed to identify additional patient and surgery risk factors. RESULTS: Median time to explantation of the initial artificial urinary sphincter in radiated (150) and nonradiated (174) cases was 26.4 and 35.6 months, respectively (p=0.043). For a second device median time to explantation was 30.1 and 38.7 months (p=0.034) and for a third device it was 28.5 and 30.6 months (p=0.020), respectively. The 5-year revision-free survival for patients undergoing a second artificial urinary sphincter surgery with no risk factors, history of radiation, history of urethroplasty, and history of radiation and urethroplasty were 83.1%, 72.6%, 63.9% and 46%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Patients without additional risk factors undergoing second and third artificial urinary sphincter surgeries experience revision-free rates similar to those of their initial artificial urinary sphincter devices. Patients who have been treated with pelvic radiation have earlier artificial urinary sphincter complications. When multiple risk factors exist, revision-free rates decrease significantly.

Male genital trauma at a level 1 trauma center.

OBJECTIVES: To describe our experience with men admitted to a tertiary care hospital with genital injury. METHODS: Adult men with injuries of the genitals, admitted to our institution between January 2013 and June 2018, were identified from our institutional trauma registry. Patient charts were queried to extract mechanism, management, follow-up, and complications. RESULTS: 118 men met inclusion criteria. 39% and 61% sustained penetrating and blunt injuries, respectively. The most common mechanisms of penetrating trauma were external violence (48%) and self-inflicted injury (40%). The most common mechanisms of blunt trauma were motorcycle crash (33%) and sexual injury/intercourse (22%). 38% presented with penile and 71% with scrotal injuries. 48% of men with scrotal injuries had concomitant testis injury. 9.3% presented with both a penile and a scrotal injury. Concomitant urethral injuries were found in 17% of all genital injuries. Genital trauma was more common in the summer months. 74% of all genital injuries were managed operatively, with surgery more common after penetrating injury (89% vs 64%, p value < 0.01). 73% of 84 men with scrotal trauma were managed operatively. 27 men received surgical intervention for testis rupture, with a testicular salvage rate of 44%. 60 (51%) patients presented for follow-up. The median length of follow-up from initial injury was 29 (± 250) days. Of these, 9 (15%) patients developed one or more complications CONCLUSIONS: Genital injuries can occur via numerous mechanisms and frequently require operative intervention. Concomitant urethral injury is common. More work is needed to evaluate the long-term sequelae of these injuries.

Multicenter analysis of posterior urethroplasty complexity and outcomes following pelvic fracture urethral injury.

PURPOSE: To analyze outcomes of posterior urethroplasty following pelvic fracture urethral injuries (PFUI) and to determine risk factors for surgical complexity and success. METHODS: Patients who underwent posterior urethroplasty following PFUI were identified in the Trauma and Urologic Reconstructive Network of Surgeons (TURNS) database. Demographics, injury patterns, management strategies, and prior interventions were evaluated. Risk factors for surgical failure and the impact of ancillary urethral lengthening maneuvers (corporal splitting, pubectomy and supracrural rerouting) were evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 436 posterior urethroplasties identified, 122 were following PFUI. 83 (68%) patients were acutely managed with suprapubic tubes, while 39 (32%) underwent early endoscopic realignment. 16 (13%) patients underwent pelvic artery embolization in the acute setting. 116 cases (95%) were completed via a perineal approach, while 6 (5%) were performed via an abdominoperineal approach. The need for one or more ancillary maneuvers to gain urethral length occurred in 4 (36%) patients. Of these, 44 (36%) received corporal splitting, 16 (13%) partial or complete pubectomy, and 2 (2%) supracrural rerouting. Younger patients, those with longer distraction defects, and those with a history of angioembolization were more likely to require ancillary maneuvers. 111 patients (91%) did not require repeat intervention during follow-up. Angioembolization (p = 0.03) and longer distraction defects (p = 0.01) were associated with failure. CONCLUSIONS: Posterior urethroplasty provides excellent success rates for patients following PFUI. Pelvic angioembolization and increased defect length are associated with increased surgical complexity and risk of failure. Surgeons should be prepared to implement ancillary maneuvers when indicated to achieve a tension-free anastomosis.

Endoscopic treatments prior to urethroplasty: trends in management of urethral stricture disease.

BACKGROUND: To determine if the number of endoscopic treatments of urethral stricture disease (USD) prior to urethroplasty has changed in the context of new AUA guidelines on management of USD. In addition to an increase in practicing reconstructive urologists and published reconstructive literature, the AUA guidelines regarding the management of male USD were presented in May 2016, advocating consideration of urethroplasty in patients with 1 prior failed endoscopic treatment. METHODS: A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained, multi-institutional urethral stricture database of high volume, geographically diverse institutions was performed from 2006 to 2017. We performed a review of relevant literature and evaluated pre-urethroplasty endoscopic treatment patterns prior to and after the AUA male stricture guideline. RESULTS: 2964 urethroplasties were reviewed in 10 institutions. There was both a decrease in the number of endoscopic treatments prior to urethroplasty in the pre-May 2016 compared to post-May 2016 cohorts both for overall urethroplasties (2.3 vs 1.6, P = 0.0012) and a gradual decrease in the number of pre-urethroplasty endoscopic treatments over the entire study period. CONCLUSION: There was a decrease in the number of endoscopic treatments of USD prior to urethroplasty in the observed period of interest. Declining endoscopic USD management is not likely to be a reflection of a solely unique influence of the guidelines as endoscopic treatment decreased over the entire study period. Further research is needed to determine if there will be a continued trend in the declining use of endoscopic treatment and elucidate the barriers to earlier urethroplasty in patients with USD.

Nontransecting Techniques Reduce Sexual Dysfunction after Anastomotic Bulbar Urethroplasty: Results of a Multi-Institutional Comparative Analysis.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this multi-institutional study was to compare outcomes of transecting and nontransecting anastomotic bulbar urethroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective, multi-institutional review of the records of 352 patients who underwent transecting or nontransecting anastomotic bulbar urethroplasty performed by 1 of 4 reconstructive urologists from September 2003 to March 2017. Study outcomes were urethroplasty success, defined as urethral patency greater than 16Fr on cystoscopy; de novo sexual dysfunction assessed at 6 months, defined as a 5-point or greater change in the SHIM (Sexual Health Inventory for Men) or a patient reported adverse change; and 90-day complications, defined as Clavien 2 or greater. When appropriate, comparisons were made between the transecting and nontransecting cohorts using the Mantel-Cox test, the t-test or the chi-square test. RESULTS: Of the 352 patients with a mean stricture length of 1.7 cm (range 0.5 to 5) 258 and 94 underwent transecting and nontransecting anastomotic bulbar urethroplasty, respectively. The overall success rate was 94.9% at a mean followup of 64.2 months (range 6 to 170). Of the patients 7.1% experienced a 90-day complication and 11.6% reported sexual dysfunction. When comparing transecting and nontransecting techniques, there was no difference in success (93.8% vs 97.9%, Mantel-Cox test p = 0.18) or postoperative complications (8.1% vs 4.3%, p = 0.25). Patients treated with transecting anastomotic urethroplasty were more likely to report an adverse change in sexual function (14.3% vs 4.3%, p = 0.008). On multivariate analysis only transecting urethroplasty was associated with sexual dysfunction (p = 0.01) while age (p = 0.29), stricture length (p = 0.42), etiology (p = 0.99) and surgeon (p = 0.88) were not. CONCLUSIONS: Anastomotic urethroplasty is a highly effective surgery with relatively minimal associated morbidity. Nontransecting anastomotic urethroplasty compares quite favorably to the transecting technique and likely reduces the risk of associated sexual dysfunction.

Multi-Institutional Outcomes of Minimally Invasive Harvest of Rectal Mucosa Graft for Anterior Urethral Reconstruction.

PURPOSE: We report multi-institutional outcomes in patients who underwent urethroplasty with a rectal mucosa graft. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used the TURNS (Trauma and Urologic Reconstructive Network of Surgeons) database to identify patients who underwent urethral reconstruction with transanal harvest of a rectal mucosa graft. We reviewed preoperative demographics, stricture etiology, previous management and patient outcomes. RESULTS: We identified 13 patients from April 2013 to June 2017. Median age at surgery was 54 years. The stricture etiology was lichen sclerosus in 6 of 13 patients (46%), idiopathic in 2 (15%), hypospadias in 1 (7%), prior gender confirming surgery in 3 (23%) and rectourethral fistula after radiation for prostate cancer in 1 (7%). Prior procedures included failed urethroplasty with a buccal mucosa graft in 9 of 13 patients (69%), direct vision internal urethrotomy in 2 (15%) and none in 2 (15%). Median stricture length was 13 cm. Stricture location in the 9 cisgender patients was panurethral in 5 (56%), bulbopendulous in 2 (22%) and bulbar in 2 (22%). It was located at the junction of the fixed urethra extending into the neophallus in all 3 patients (100%) who underwent prior gender confirming surgery. Mean rectal mucosa graft length for urethroplasty was 10.6 cm (range 3 to 16). Repair types included dorsal or ventral onlay, or 2-stage repair. Stricture recurred at a median followup of 13.5 months in 2 of 13 patients (15%). Postoperative complications included glans dehiscence, urethrocutaneous fistula and compartment syndrome in 1 patient each (7%). No rectal or bowel related complications were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Urethral reconstruction with a transanal harvested rectal mucosa graft is a safe technique when a buccal mucosa graft is unavailable or not indicated.

Urinary and Sexual Function after Perineal Urethrostomy for Urethral Stricture Disease: An Analysis from the TURNS.

PURPOSE: Perineal urethrostomy is a viable option for many complex urethral strictures. However, to our knowledge no comparison with anterior urethroplasty regarding patient reported outcome measures has been published. We compared these groups using a large multi-institution database. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of anterior urethroplasty in the TURNS (Trauma and Urologic Reconstructive Network of Surgeons) database. The anterior urethroplasty cohort was defined by long strictures greater than 6 cm. We compared demographic, clinical, urinary and sexual characteristics using validated patient reported outcome measures between patients treated with long stricture anterior urethroplasty and those who underwent perineal urethrostomy. RESULTS: Of the 131 patients 92 treated with long stricture anterior urethroplasty and 39 treated with perineal urethrostomy met study inclusion criteria. The cumulative incidence of failure at 2 years was 30.2% (95% CI 18.3-47.3) for long stricture anterior urethroplasty and 14.5% (95% CI 4.8-39.1) for perineal urethrostomy (p = 0.09). Compared to baseline metrics, patients who underwent long stricture anterior urethroplasty and perineal urethrostomy had similar improvements in urinary function and stable sexual function after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Patients reported improvement in urinary function after perineal urethrostomy with no deleterious effect on sexual function. These patient reported outcome measures were comparable to those of long stricture anterior urethroplasty. Perineal urethrostomy failure rates were similar to those of long stricture anterior urethroplasty.

Clinical significance of cystoscopic urethral stricture recurrence after anterior urethroplasty: a multi-institution analysis from Trauma and Urologic Reconstructive Network of Surgeons (TURNS).

PURPOSE: To assess the functional Queryoutcome of patients with cystoscopic recurrence of stricture post-urethroplasty and to evaluate the role of cystoscopy as initial screening tool to predict future failure. METHODS: Cases with cystoscopy data after anterior urethroplasty in a multi-institutional database were retrospectively studied. Based on cystoscopic evaluation, performed within 3-months post-urethroplasty, patients were categorized as small-caliber (SC) stricture recurrence: stricture unable to be passed by standard cystoscope, large-caliber (LC) stricture accommodating a cystoscope, and no recurrence. We assessed the cumulative probability of intervention and the quality of life scores in association with cystoscopic recurrence 1-year post-urethroplasty. Patients with history of hypospadias, perineal urethrostomy, urethral fistula, and meatal pathology were excluded. RESULTS: From a total of 2630 men in our cohort, 1054 patients met the inclusion criteria: normal (n = 740), LC recurrence (n = 178), and SC recurrence (n = 136) based on the first cystoscopic evaluation performed at median 111 days postoperatively. Median follow-up was 350 days (IQR 121-617) after urethroplasty. Cystoscopic recurrence was significantly associated with secondary interventions (2.7%, 6.2%, 33.8% in normal, LC, and SC groups, respectively). Quality of life variables were not statistically significantly different among the three study groups. CONCLUSIONS: Many patients with cystoscopic recurrence do not need an intervention after initial urethroplasty. Despite good negative predictive value, cystoscopy alone may be a poor screening test for stricture recurrence defined by patient symptoms and need for secondary interventions.

Multicenter Analysis of Patient Reported Outcomes Following Artificial Urinary Sphincter Placement for Male Stress Urinary Incontinence.

PURPOSE: Patient centered data are lacking regarding functional and quality of life improvements after artificial urinary sphincter placement. We analyzed the degree of benefit from artificial urinary sphincter placement using ISI (Incontinence Symptom Index), a validated patient reported outcome measure assessing the severity and bother of urinary incontinence, and IIQ-7 (Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-7), a validated patient reported outcome measure assessing the impact and emotional distress of urinary incontinence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective review at 4 centers participating in TURNS (Trauma and Urologic Reconstruction Network of Surgeons). Data were available on 51 and 45 patients who underwent artificial urinary sphincter placement, and had preoperative and postoperative ISI and IIQ-7 data, respectively. RESULTS: Mean age was 64.8 years. Median time from surgery to followup questionnaires was 8.5 months. On ISI the median preoperative severity and bother scores were 24 (IQR 20-28.5) and 6 (IQR 4-7), and the median postoperative severity and bother scores were 10 (IQR 4.5-17) and 1 (IQR 0-3), respectively. Improvement on each ISI item was statistically significant. On IIQ-7 the median preoperative impact and distress scores were 9 (IQR 6-13) and 4 (IQR 2-6), and the median postoperative impact and distress scores were 3 (IQR 0-7) and 0 (IQR 0-3), respectively. Improvement on each IIQ-7 item was statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Artificial urinary sphincter implantation significantly reduces the severity and bother of stress urinary incontinence symptoms. Longer followup and development are needed of a patient reported outcome measure targeting male stress urinary incontinence.

Effect of Urethroplasty on Anxiety and Depression.

PURPOSE: To our knowledge anxiety and depression in patients with urethral stricture disease and the impact of urethroplasty on mental health has never been explored. We hypothesized that patients with urethral stricture disease would have higher than normal anxiety and depression levels, and urethroplasty would improve mental health. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients in a multi-institutional reconstructive urology database who underwent anterior urethroplasty. Preoperative and postoperative evaluation of anxiety and depression, and overall health was recorded using the validated EQ-5D™-3L Questionnaire. Sexual function was evaluated with the IIEF (International Index of Erectile Function) and the Men's Sexual Health Questionnaire. Stricture recurrence was defined as the need for a subsequent procedure. RESULTS: Median followup in the 298 patients who met study inclusion criteria was 4.2 months. Preoperative anxiety and depression was reported by 86 patients (29%). Those with anxiety and depression reported higher rates of marijuana use, a worse preoperative IIEF score (17.5 vs 19.6, p = 0.01) and a lower image of overall health (66 vs 79, p ≤0.001). Improvement or resolution of anxiety and depression was experienced by 56% of patients treated with urethroplasty while de novo postoperative anxiety and depression were reported by 10%. These men reported a decreased flow rate (16 vs 25 ml per second, p = 0.01). Clinical failure in 8 patients (2.7%) had no effect on the development, improvement or resolution of anxiety and depression. CONCLUSIONS: Of patients with preoperative anxiety and depression 56% reported improvement or resolution after urethroplasty. Although new onset anxiety and depression was rare, these patients had a significantly lower postoperative maximum flow rate, possibly representing a group with a perceived suboptimal surgical outcome. A urethral stricture disease specific questionnaire is needed to further elucidate the interplay of urethral stricture disease with anxiety and depression.

Multi-Institutional Outcomes of Endoscopic Management of Stricture Recurrence after Bulbar Urethroplasty.

PURPOSE: Approximately 10% to 20% of patients will have a recurrence after urethroplasty. Initial management of these recurrences is often by urethral dilation or direct vision internal urethrotomy. In the current study we describe the outcomes of endoscopic management of stricture recurrence after bulbar urethroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed bulbar urethroplasty data from 5 surgeons in the TURNS (Trauma and Urologic Reconstruction Network of Surgeons). Men who underwent urethral dilation or direct vision internal urethrotomy for urethroplasty recurrence were identified. Recurrence was defined as the inability to pass a 17Fr cystoscope through the area of reconstruction. The primary outcome was the success rate of recurrence management. Comparisons were made between urethral dilation and direct vision internal urethrotomy, and then between endoscopic management of recurrences after excision and primary anastomosis urethroplasty vs substitutional repairs using time to event statistics. RESULTS: In 53 men recurrence was initially managed endoscopically. Median time to urethral stricture recurrence after urethroplasty was 5 months. At a median followup of 5 months the overall success rate was 42%. Success after urethral dilation was significantly less than after direct vision internal urethrotomy (1 of 10 patients or 10% vs 21 of 43 or 49%, p <0.001) with a failure HR of 3.15 (p = 0.03). Direct vision internal urethrotomy was more effective after substitutional failure than after excision and primary anastomosis urethroplasty (53% vs 13%, p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Direct vision internal urethrotomy was more successful than urethral dilation in the management of stricture recurrence after bulbar urethroplasty. Direct vision internal urethrotomy was more successful in patients with recurrence after substitution urethroplasty compared to after excision and primary anastomosis urethroplasty. Perhaps this indicates a different mechanism of recurrence for excision and primary anastomosis urethroplasty (ischemic) vs substitution urethroplasty (nonischemic).

Prevalence of Post-Micturition Incontinence before and after Anterior Urethroplasty.

PURPOSE: In this study we aimed to define the prevalence of preoperative and postoperative post-micturition incontinence or post-void dribbling after anterior urethroplasty for urethral stricture disease. We also sought to determine risk factors for its presence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed a prospectively maintained, multi-institutional urethral stricture database to evaluate post-micturition incontinence using a single question from a validated questionnaire, "How often have you had a slight wetting of your pants a few minutes after you had finished urinating and had dressed yourself?" Possible answers were never-0 to all the time-3. The presence of post-micturition incontinence was defined as any answer greater than 0. Comparisons were made to stricture type and location, repair type and patient medical comorbidities. RESULTS: Preoperative and postoperative post-micturition incontinence questionnaires were completed by 614 and 331 patients, respectively. Patients without complete data available were excluded from study. Preoperative post-micturition incontinence was present in 73% of patients, of whom 44% stated that this symptom was present most of the time. Overall postoperative post-micturition incontinence was present in 40% of patients and again it was not predicted by stricture location or urethroplasty type. Of the 331 patients with followup questionnaires 60% reported improvement, 32% reported no change and 8% reported worsening symptoms. The overall rate of de novo post-micturition incontinence was low at 6.3%. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of preoperative post-micturition incontinence is high and likely under reported. In most patients post-micturition incontinence improves after urethroplasty and the prevalence of de novo post-micturition incontinence is low. The presence of post-micturition incontinence was not predicted by stricture length or location, or urethroplasty repair type.

Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Urethral Reconstruction.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Treatment of anterior urethral stricture disease (USD) has shifted from endoscopic approaches to urethroplasty with significantly higher success rates among reconstructive urologists. This academic stance has led to a critical evaluation of "success" and developing disease-specific instruments to assess surgical outcomes focusing on patients' satisfaction rather than the historical goal of avoiding secondary procedures. RECENT FINDINGS: Many disease non-specific and/or non-validated patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) have been utilized to evaluate the voiding symptoms and sexual of function of patients after urethroplasty in the literature. Urethral Stricture Surgery PROM (USS PROM) is the first validated, disease-specific PROM for anterior USD which has been designed in 2001. Urethral Stricture Symptoms and Impact Measure (USSIM) is a comprehensive PROM and is currently being validated at multiple institutions. This article reviews the tools used to assess success after urethroplasty and elaborates the need to develop a comprehensive USD-specific PROM.

Urethral lichen sclerosus under the microscope: a survey of academic pathologists.

INTRODUCTION: Given the poor understanding of the pathophysiology of genital lichen sclerosus (GLS) and a lack of accepted definitive diagnostic criteria, we proposed to survey pathologists regarding their understanding of GLS. We hypothesized that significant disagreement about GLS will exist. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All urologists participating in the Trauma and Urologic Reconstruction Network of Surgeons identified genitourinary (GUP) and dermatopathologists (DP) at their respective institutions who were then invited to participate in an online survey regarding their experience with diagnosing GLS, GLS pathophysiology and its relationship to urethral stricture disease. RESULTS: There were 23 (12 DP, 11 GUP) pathologists that completed the survey. The most agreed upon criteria for diagnosis were dermal collagen homogenization (85.7%), loss of the normal rete pattern (33.3%) and atrophic epidermis (28.5%). No pathologists believed GLS had an infectious etiology (19% maybe, 42% unknown) and 19% believed GLS to be an autoimmune disorder (42% maybe, 38% unknown); 19% believed LS to be premalignant, but 52% believed it was associated with cancer; 80% believed that LS could involve the urethra (DP (92%) versus GUP (67%); p = 0.272). Of those diagnosing urethral GLS, 80% of DUP believed that GLS must first involve the glans/prepuce before involving the urethra, while all GUP believed that urethral disease could exist in isolation (p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: There was significant disagreement in this specialized cohort of pathologists when diagnosing GLS. A logical first step appears to be improving agreement on how to best describe and classify the disease. This may lead to improve treatments.

Comprehensive Qualitative Assessment of Urethral Stricture Disease: Toward the Development of a Patient Centered Outcome Measure.

PURPOSE: The primary objective of this study was to report what patients considered to be the most important symptoms, functions and impacts of urethral stricture disease. Patient and physician perspectives were correlated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were involved at each step of patient reported outcome measure development. We performed 1) qualitative semistructured concept elicitation interviews, 2) cognitive interviews, 3) prioritization interviews and 4) item prioritization by patients in regard to bother. A total of 22 reconstructive urologists ranked the items in regard to making treatment decisions. RESULTS: Patient qualitative interviews were done until no new information was gained (16 interviews) to reach concept saturation. A total of 40 items were generated from interview data. Urinary items predominated over sexually related content (34 vs 6). A review of published patient reported outcome measures revealed 10 legacy items that were not derived from the qualitative interviews. Two iterative rounds of cognitive interviews were performed in a separate cohort of 5 and 4 patients, respectively, to assess patient comprehension. Item prioritization was done in a separate cohort of 20 patients. The final instrument for validation included 31 items, of which 27 were new and 4 were legacy items. For the top 15 ranked items there was 53% agreement between patients and physicians. Patients were most worried about inability to urinate and urinary dribbling. CONCLUSIONS: We found multiple patient generated concepts related to urinary and sexual impact, function and symptoms. Patients and clinicians had a low agreement rate regarding item importance.