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.

The Japanese Urological Association's clinical practice guidelines for urotrauma 2023.

The Japanese Urological Association's guidelines for the treatment of renal trauma were published in 2016. In conjunction with its revision, herein, we present the new guidelines for overall urotrauma. Its purpose is to provide standard diagnostic and treatment recommendations for urotrauma, including iatrogenic trauma, to preserve organ function and minimize complications and fatality. The guidelines committee comprised urologists with experience in urotrauma care, selected by the Trauma and Emergency Medicine Subcommittee of the Specialty Area Committee of the Japanese Urological Association, and specialists recommended by the Japanese Association for the Surgery of Trauma and the Japanese Society of Interventional Radiology. The guidelines committee established the domains of renal and ureteral, bladder, urethral, and genital trauma, and determined the lead person for each domain. A total of 30 clinical questions (CQs) were established for all domains; 15 for renal and ureteral trauma and five each for the other domains. An extensive literature search was conducted for studies published between January 1, 1983 and July 16, 2020, based on the preset keywords for each CQ. Since only few randomized controlled trials or meta-analyses were found on urotrauma clinical practice, conducting a systematic review and summarizing the evidence proved challenging; hence, the grade of recommendation was determined according to the 2007 "Minds Handbook for Clinical Practice Guidelines" based on a consensus reached by the guidelines committee. We hope that these guidelines will be useful for clinicians in their daily practice, especially those involved in urotrauma care.

Myofibroblast-dominant proliferation associated with severe fibrosis in bulbar urethral strictures.

OBJECTIVES: Myofibroblast-dominant proliferation (relative to fibroblast proliferation) is the key process in urethral fibrosis, but its association with clinical features is not understood. We conducted a histological analysis of urethral strictures and examined the association between myofibroblast proliferation and stricture characteristics. METHODS: Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded urethral sections sliced axially from 175 male patients with bulbar urethral strictures were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent excision and primary anastomosis between September 2008 and January 2021 by a surgeon (AH). Masson's trichrome stain was used to estimate the area of fibrosis. Corresponding unstained slides with the largest area of fibrosis were selected and double-immunostained with anti-smooth muscle actin (SMA) and anti-TE-7 mouse monoclonal antibodies for the assessment of myofibroblasts and fibroblasts, respectively. The ratio of the number of SMA-positive cells to the number of TE-7-positive cells (SMA/TE-7 ratio) was calculated. RESULTS: The area of fibrosis in strictures due to perineal trauma (n = 85, median 108.9 mm2 ) was significantly larger than that in non-traumatic strictures (n = 90, median 42.9 mm2 , p < 0.0001). The area of fibrosis positively correlated with SMA expression (r = 0.35, p < 0.0001) and the SMA/TE-7 ratio (r = 0.36, p < 0.0001), but not with TE-7 expression (r = -0.01, p = 0.75). In a multivariate linear regression model, traumatic etiology (standard coefficient 0.37, t value 3.9, p < 0.0001) and increased SMA expression (standard coefficient 0.17, t value 2.1, p = 0.03) were the predictors of wide fibrosis area. CONCLUSIONS: Myofibroblast-dominant proliferation may contribute to the pathogenesis of severe urethral fibrosis.

Membranous urethral length on magnetic resonance imaging as a novel predictor of urinary continence after delayed anastomotic urethroplasty for pelvic fracture urethral injury.

PURPOSE: We studied the impact of membranous urethral length (MUL) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on post-urethroplasty continence in male patients with pelvic fracture urethral injury (PFUI). METHODS: Of 169 male patients with PFUI who underwent delayed anastomotic urethroplasty between 2008 and 2020, 85 who underwent preoperative MRI, had no recurrent stenosis on cystoscopy, and underwent a 1-h pad test 1 year after surgery were included. MUL was defined as the distance from the distal end of the disrupted proximal urethra to the apex of the prostate, as measured using T2-weighted MRI. Urinary incontinence (UI) was defined as a 1-h pad test weight > 2.0 g. RESULTS: None of the patients had UI before a pelvic fracture. Eighty-two patients (96.5%) had a measurable MUL, and the median length was 8.1 (interquartile range [IQR], 5.2-10.8) mm. The median weight of the 1-h pad test was 1.0 (IQR, 0.0-4.0) g, and 26 (30.6%) patients had UI. An open bladder neck (odds ratio [OR], 4.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0-22.0; p = 0.04) and a short measurable membranous urethra (for every extra mm: OR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.0-1.3; p = 0.04) were significant UI predictors on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: A long MUL is significantly positively associated with urinary continence in male patients with PFUI. This could be of potential value to reconstructive urologists when counseling patients regarding post-urethroplasty continence before urethroplasty.

Role of magnetic resonance imaging in the management of male pelvic fracture urethral injury.

The management of male pelvic fracture urethral injury remains a urological challenge. Pelvic fracture urethral injury can be associated with sequelae, such as urethral gap, erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence. Delayed anastomotic urethroplasty, the gold standard treatment for urethral gaps caused by pelvic fracture urethral injuries, is technically demanding, and reconstructive urologists should preoperatively obtain as much detailed anatomical information as possible. A combination of antegrade and retrograde urethrography is the fundamental preoperative evaluation, but it cannot accurately assess the urethral gap length, the degree of lateral prostatic displacement, the anatomical relationship of the urethra with its surrounding structures (such as the rectum and dorsal venous complex) or periurethral problems (such as minor fistulae or cavitation). To make up for these limitations of urethrography, magnetic resonance imaging has emerged as a non-invasive, multiplanar and high-resolution modality for the evaluation of pelvic fracture urethral injury. Magnetic resonance imaging has excellent soft-tissue contrast, and can clearly show the urethra and periurethral tissues without the effects of radiation, thus enabling clinicians to anticipate the required ancillary techniques for delayed anastomotic urethroplasty and to predict functional outcomes, such as erectile function and urinary continence, after delayed anastomotic urethroplasty. This review discusses the role of magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of pelvic fracture urethral injury and its impact on patient management.

Transperineal bulbovesical anastomosis for extensive posterior urethral stenoses after treatment of prostatic disease.

OBJECTIVES: We report our surgical experience of transperineal bulbovesical anastomosis (BVA) for extensive posterior urethral stenosis (PUS). METHODS: Six male patients who had extensive PUS extending from the bulbomembranous urethra to the bladder neck due to prostatic disease treatment and underwent transperineal BVA between 2014 and 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. BVA was performed according to the elaborate perineal approach for pelvic fracture urethral repair with minor modifications. After confirming the absence of recurrent stenosis 6 months postoperatively, the patients were offered artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) placement for subsequent urinary incontinence (UI). RESULTS: Median patient age was 68, and the etiology of PUS was radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer in four patients, brachytherapy for prostate cancer in one, and transurethral resection of the prostate for benign prostatic hyperplasia in one. All patients had been previously treated with multiple transurethral procedures such as urethrotomy and dilation. Median operative time and blood loss were 211 min and 154 ml, respectively. Five cases (83.3%) had no recurrent stenosis with a median follow-up of 45 months, but a single direct vision internal urethrotomy was performed in one (16.7%) due to restenosis. Four (66.7%) patients underwent AUS placement via transcorporal approach for subsequent UI, but two had it removed due to urethral erosion. CONCLUSION: Transperineal BVA could effectively manage extensive PUS after prostatic disease treatment. Staged AUS placement could be a viable option for subsequent UI, but the risk of urethral erosion seemed high.

Urethral reconstruction for iatrogenic urethral stricture after transurethral prostate surgery: An analysis of surgical and patient-reported outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the efficacy of urethral reconstruction in male patients with iatrogenic urethral stricture after transurethral prostate surgery. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the cases of 82 patients who underwent urethral reconstruction for iatrogenic urethral stricture caused by transurethral prostate surgery between August 2011 and July 2021. Patients were followed up postoperatively with uroflowmetry, postvoid residual urine measurement, and questionnaires using Peeling's picture score, International Prostate Symptom Score, International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form, Sexual Health Inventory for Men, EuroQol-5 dimensions, and EuroQol-5 dimensions visual analog scores. Successful urethral reconstruction was defined as the absence of a postoperative decrease in urinary force and any additional treatment. RESULTS: The median patient age was 72 years, and the stricture site was the urethral meatus in eight (9.8%) patients, penoscrotal junction in 42 (51.2%), and proximal bulbar urethra in 26 (31.7%). Six patients (7.3%) had synchronous urethral strictures. Urethral reconstruction was successful in 78 patients (95.1%), with a median follow-up of 43 months. The mean maximum flow rate (P < 0.0001), postvoid residual urine (P = 0.004), Peeling's picture score (P < 0.0001), the score for each question and total International Prostate Symptom Score and International Prostate Symptom Score-quality of life scores (P < 0.0001 for all comparisons), and EuroQol-5 dimensions and EuroQol-5 dimensions visual analog scores (P < 0.0001 for both) significantly improved postoperatively. However, the Sexual Health Inventory for Men and International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form scores remained unchanged (P = 0.09 and 0.70, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Urethral reconstruction was effective for urethral stricture due to transurethral prostate surgery in both subjective and objective aspects.

Impact of urethroplasty on overactive bladder symptoms in patients with anterior urethral strictures.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the incidence of overactive bladder in men with anterior urethral stricture and to evaluate the impact of urethroplasty on its improvement. METHODS: A total of 104 men with anterior urethral stricture who underwent urethroplasty between 2016 and 2020 completed a validated urethral stricture surgery patient-reported outcome measure comprising six lower urinary tract symptoms questions on voiding symptoms and overactive bladder symptom score before and 3, 6, and 12 months after urethroplasty. Patients with an urgency score of ≥2 for overactive bladder symptom score question 3, and a total overactive bladder symptom score of ≥3 were considered to have overactive bladder. An improvement in overactive bladder was defined as a decrease in the total overactive bladder symptom score by at least three points. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients (37.5%) were considered to have overactive bladder, and improvement in overactive bladder after urethroplasty was found in 30 (76.9%). Maximum flow rate on uroflowmetry, postvoid residual urine volume, lower urinary tract symptoms total score, and total overactive bladder symptom score were all significantly improved after urethroplasty (P < 0.0001 for all variables). There was a positive correlation between changes in lower urinary tract symptoms total score and total overactive bladder symptom score (Spearman's correlation 0.48, P < 0.0001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that greater change in lower urinary tract symptoms score was an independent predictor of improvement in overactive bladder (odds ratio 1.30, 95% confidence interval 1.06-1.59; P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Overactive bladder is prevalent in patients with anterior urethral stricture, and can be effectively improved after urethroplasty. Improvement of voiding symptoms are key for improving overactive bladder symptoms.

Ability of photocurable gelatin to prevent stricture recurrence after urethral dilation in rabbits.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the ability of photocurable gelatin to prevent stricture recurrence after urethral dilation in a rabbit urethral stricture model. METHODS: We created urethral strictures in the bulbar urethras of 10 male Japanese white rabbits using electrocoagulation. After 1 month, the rabbits were randomly divided into Group A (n = 5; urethral stricture dilation and the local application of photocurable gelatin using a ruthenium photoinitiator and irradiation with a light-emitting diode light [λ = 455 nm, 50 mW/cm2 ] for 1 min) and Group B (n = 5; dilation only). Urethral stricture status was evaluated 1-2 months later by retrograde urethrography and urethroscopy. The lumen ratio (urethral width at the stricture site to the normal urethral width on retrograde urethrography) was calculated. Urethral patency was considered to be improved when the urethral lumen could accommodate a 10-Fr urethroscope without resistance. Urethral specimens were harvested for histopathological examination. RESULTS: The mean lumen ratio did not differ significantly between Groups A and B before dilation (25.8% vs 23.4%; P = 0.40), but differed significantly after dilation (65.5% vs 27.3%, respectively; P = 0.03). Urethral patency improved in all rabbits in Group A (100%) versus one rabbit in Group B (20%; P = 0.02). The mean circumference of the regenerated urethral epithelium at the stricture site was larger in Group A than in Group B (14 mm vs 6.6 mm; P = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: Photocurable gelatin can reduce urethral stricture recurrence after dilation in a rabbit model.

Efficacy of urethral reconstruction for urethral stricture associated with hypospadias surgery in adults.

OBJECTIVES: We report our experience with urethral reconstruction for hypospadias surgery-related urethral stricture in terms of surgical and patient-reported outcomes. METHODS: Twenty-nine adult males who underwent urethral reconstruction for hypospadias surgery-related urethral stricture between August 2008 and January 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Uroflowmetry and patient-reported outcomes were evaluated at 3, 6, and 12 months, and annually thereafter. Surgical success was defined as the absence of additional procedures. Patients were asked to rate their satisfaction with urethral reconstruction as "very satisfied", "satisfied", "unsatisfied", or "very unsatisfied". RESULTS: The median patient age at referral was 43 years. The median number of previously performed hypospadias surgeries was three, and 18 patients (62.8%) had been treated with repeated transurethral procedures. The median stricture length was 54 mm (interquartile range 36-81). Performed urethral reconstruction included staged urethroplasty in 22 (75.9%), one-stage onlay augmentation in 3 (10.2%), and perineal urethrostomy in 4 (13.8%) cases. Urethral reconstruction was successful in 26 patients (89.7%) over a median postoperative period of 31 months. Patient-reported outcomes were assessed in 25 (86.2%) patients. The mean maximum flow rate, international prostate symptom score total score, international prostate symptom score quality of life score, and EuroQol-5 dimensions index significantly improved postoperatively. Twenty-three patients (92%) were "very satisfied" or "satisfied" with the outcome of their urethral reconstruction. CONCLUSIONS: Urethral reconstruction is a highly successful and patient-satisfying treatment for hypospadias surgery-related urethral stricture in adult patients. Perineal urethrostomy is a reasonable alternative for elderly patients and for patients with complicated hypospadias surgery-related urethral strictures.

Single-surgeon experience of excision and primary anastomosis for bulbar urethral stricture: analysis of surgical and patient-reported outcomes.

PURPOSE: To report our experience with excision and primary anastomosis (EPA) for bulbar urethral stricture. METHODS: Patients who underwent EPA for bulbar stricture between 2012 and 2019 were retrospectively analyzed (n = 308). Successful urethroplasty was defined as the absence of the need for additional treatment. For follow-up, uroflowmetry was performed and the patients completed the validated Urethral Stricture Surgery Patient-reported Outcome Measure and Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) questionnaires before (baseline) and 6 months after EPA. Overall patient satisfaction after urethroplasty was also evaluated. RESULTS: Urethroplasty was successful in 97.1% of patients (n = 299) with a median follow-up of 37 months. A total of 215 patients (69.8%) completed the questionnaires at 6 months postoperatively. The mean maximum flow rate, lower urinary tract symptom (LUTS)-total score, Peeling's picture score, LUTS-specific quality of life, and EuroQol-visual analog scale scores improved significantly from 7.7 ml/s, 11.6, 3.3, 2.4, and 58.0 at baseline to 24.1 ml/s, 2.7, 1.9, 0.4, and 82.1 postoperatively (p < 0.0001 for all comparisons). However, five-point or greater deterioration in the SHIM score was found in 41 patients (19.1%). Regarding patient satisfaction, 98.6% of patients (212/215) were "satisfied" (32.6%) or "very satisfied" (66.0%) with the outcome. A low postoperative LUTS-total score and Peeling's picture score were independent predictors of a "very satisfied" patient (p = 0.001 and p = 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: EPA had a high success rate and was associated with significant benefits in both subjective and objective outcomes. Contrarily, a high incidence of postoperative erectile dysfunction was observed.

Evaluation of the efficacy of perineal urethrostomy for patients with anterior urethral stricture: insights from surgical and patient-reported outcomes.

PURPOSE: To examine the efficacy of perineal urethrostomy (PU) in patients with anterior urethral stricture. METHODS: Patients who underwent PU for anterior urethral stricture between 2013 and 2020 were retrospectively reviewed (n = 56). Surgical success was defined as no need for additional intervention. Uroflowmetry and measurement of residual urine volume (PVR) were examined postoperatively, and the patients were asked to fill out sexual health inventory for men (SHIM) and the validated Urethral Stricture Surgery Patient-reported Outcome Measure questionnaires before and after PU. The overall patient satisfaction was also assessed. RESULTS: PU was successful in 92.9% of patients (n = 52), with a median follow-up of 34 months. Two of four were salvaged by re-do PU, and one was salvaged by forming a composite stoma using a penile skin graft. Thirty-nine patients (69.6%) filled out the questionnaires 6 months after surgery. The mean maximum flow rate, PVR, lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS)-total score, LUTS-specific quality of life, and EuroQol-visual analog scale scores improved significantly from 3.8 mL/s, 77.6 mL, 12.9, 2.6, and 53.6 at baseline to 17.6 mL/s, 21.3 mL, 4.1, 0.9, and 74.9 postoperatively (p = 0.003, p = 0.004, p = 0.005, p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001, respectively). The SHIM score did not change significantly (from 2.6 at baseline to 2.3 postoperatively; p = 0.59). As for patient satisfaction, 84.6% of patients (33/39) were "satisfied" (46.1%) or "very satisfied" (38.5%) with the outcome. CONCLUSIONS: PU had a high surgical success rate, and significantly improved patients' subjective symptoms and achieved a high level of satisfaction.

Deep lateral transurethral incision for vesicourethral anastomotic stenosis after radical prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the outcomes of deep lateral incision for vesicourethral anastomotic stenosis after radical prostatectomy and its impact on postoperative urinary incontinence. METHODS: We retrospectively investigated 43 men who underwent deep lateral incision for non-obliterated vesicourethral anastomotic stenosis after radical prostatectomy between 2011 and 2020. The bladder neck was deeply incised through its circular fibers into the surrounding perivesical fat at 3 and 9 o'clock through electrocautery incision using needle-type electrodes. Successful deep lateral incision was defined as the absence of additional treatment, including self-dilatation. The postoperative urinary incontinence status was evaluated based on the number of pads used daily. RESULTS: Deep lateral incision was successful in 35 (81.4%) patients, with a median follow-up period of 43 months (interquartile range 15-80 months). There was no significant association of age (P = 0.66), body mass index (P = 0.49) and history of diabetes mellitus (P = 0.39), radiation therapy (P = 0.89) or previous vesicourethral anastomotic stenosis treatment (P = 0.71) with the incision outcomes; however, there were significantly more unsuccessful cases in those with preoperative urinary retention (P = 0.04) or indwelling urinary catheters for >5 days post-incision (P = 0.01). A second incision was carried out in eight patients and a third incision in two patients, resulting in 42 (97.7%) successful incisions. A total of 37 (88.1%) patients had urinary incontinence and used at least one pad daily; seven (16.7%) underwent artificial urinary sphincter implantation after the last incision. CONCLUSIONS: Deep lateral incision is highly effective for treating vesicourethral anastomotic stenosis after radical prostatectomy. Appropriate treatment is required for urinary incontinence, which occurs frequently after incision.

Efficacy of re-do urethroplasty for post-traumatic urethral stricture: An analysis of the anatomical and functional outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the efficacy of re-do urethroplasty for post-traumatic urethral stricture in terms of anatomical and functional outcomes. METHODS: A total of 48 patients who underwent re-do urethroplasty for post-traumatic urethral stricture due to perineal trauma (n = 21) and pelvic fracture urethral injury (n = 27) between October 2010 and March 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were followed by uroflowmetry, post-void residual volume assessment and 17-Fr flexible cystoscopy after re-do urethroplasty. Successful urethroplasty was defined as having a urethral caliber adequate for the passage of a cystoscope and requiring no additional treatments. Patients completed a validated patient-reported outcome measure for urethral stricture surgery, including overall satisfaction, and the sexual health inventory for men. RESULTS: The type of re-do urethroplasty was anastomotic urethroplasty in 45 (94%) patients and buccal mucosa urethroplasty in three (6%) patients. Urethroplasty was successful in 47 (98%) patients (median follow up 35 months, interquartile range 21-75). The patient-reported outcome measure for urethral stricture surgery and Sexual Health Inventory for Men were assessed in 36 (75%) patients, and the mean lower urinary tract symptom-specific quality of life, EuroQol-5D and EuroQol-visual analog scale scores improved from 2.86, 0.63 and 54.17 preoperatively to 0.78 (P < 0.001), 0.86 (P < 0.001) and 76.94 (P < 0.001) postoperatively, respectively. The pre- and postoperative mean Sexual Health Inventory for Men scores (5.92 and 4.94, respectively) did not significantly differ (P = 0.318). All 36 patients were satisfied with their urethroplasty outcomes, with 20 (56%) very satisfied patients. CONCLUSIONS: Re-do urethroplasty for post-traumatic urethral stricture shows a high success rate and beneficial effects on both anatomical and functional outcomes.

Is pre-referral management of anterior urethral strictures prior to urethroplasty appropriate?

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether the management of anterior urethral strictures prior to definitive urethroplasty is appropriate. METHODS: Of a total of 419 men diagnosed with anterior urethral strictures at hospitals across Japan and thereafter referred to our institution for definitive urethroplasty between 2004 and 2019, the medical records of 371, for whom data on stricture characteristics at the initial diagnosis and pre-referral management were available, were retrospectively reviewed. A pre-referral single transurethral procedure, such as direct vision internal urethrotomy or urethral dilation, was considered appropriate only for favorable stricture, defined as a single nontraumatic untreated bulbar urethral stricture ≤2 cm in size, and repeat transurethral procedures were considered inappropriate in any circumstances. The association between the appropriateness of the pre-referral management strategy and patient and clinical characteristics was analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 242 patients (65.2%) had a pre-referral history of at least one transurethral procedure, and performing the procedure was considered inappropriate for 221 patients (59.6%). On multivariate logistic regression analysis, location of the patient's residence far from our institution (outside of the Kanto area; odds ratio 3.35, 95% confidence interval 1.86-6.04; P < 0.0001), voiding with intermittent dilation (odds ratio 2.38, 95% confidence interval 1.38-4.12; P = 0.002), iatrogenic stricture (odds ratio 11.18, 95% confidence interval 5.30-23.61; P < 0.0001), and stricture longer than 20 mm (odds ratio 3.05, 95% confidence interval 1.47-6.38; P = 0.003) were the independent predictors of inappropriate use of transurethral procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Transurethral procedures are often inappropriately used. There is a clear need to promote appropriate management strategies for urethral strictures among general urologists.

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.

Surgical and patient-reported outcomes of urethroplasty for bulbar stricture due to a straddle injury.

PURPOSE: To report our experience with urethroplasty for bulbar stricture due to a straddle injury based on surgical and patient-reported outcomes. METHODS: Patients who underwent urethroplasty for bulbar stricture due to a straddle injury between 2010 and 2018 were retrospectively analyzed (N = 132). Successful urethroplasty was defined as the absence of the need for additional treatment. The patients completed the validated Urethral Stricture Surgery Patient-reported Outcome Measure and Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) questionnaires before (baseline) and 1 year after urethroplasty. RESULTS: The median (interquartile range) age was 50 (36-62) years; urethral stricture length estimated from urethrograms, 8.6 (5.1-12.5) mm; and postoperative follow-up, 41 (22-56) months. Urethroplasty was performed through excision with primary anastomosis in 95.5% (n = 126) and onlay augmentation with a buccal mucosa graft in 4.5% (n = 6). Urethroplasty was successful in 98.5% (n = 130). The 2 failures due to periurethral abscess were successfully salvaged with another urethroplasty. Eighty-four patients (63.6%) completed the questionnaires at 1 year postoperatively. The mean lower urinary tract (LUT)-specific quality of life, SHIM, and EuroQol-visual analog scale scores all improved significantly from 2.6, 8.5, and 57.5 at baseline to 0.3, 11.6, and 84.6 postoperatively (p < 0.0001, p = 0.004, p < 0.0001, respectively). All patients were either "satisfied" (19/84, 22.6%) or "very satisfied" (65/84, 77.3%). Lower postoperative LUT symptom score was an independent predictor of a "very satisfied" patient (odds ratio 0.81, 95% confidence interval 0.67-0.98, p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Urethroplasty for bulbar stricture due to a straddle injury has a high success rate and is beneficial for both subjective and objective symptoms.

Usefulness of a high-speed surgical air drill in pubectomy during delayed anastomotic urethroplasty for pelvic fracture urethral injury.

OBJECTIVES: Pubectomy is an ancillary technique used to increase exposure of the disrupted urethra and reduce anastomotic tension, which can be difficult for inexperienced surgeons. The objective of the present study was to illustrate the use of an air drill enabling delicate and precise bone resection in pubectomy for delayed anastomotic urethroplasty for pelvic fracture urethral injury. METHODS: Between 2009 and 2019, 88 male patients underwent delayed anastomotic urethroplasty with pubectomy for pelvic fracture urethral injury. A total of 73 procedures used a high-speed surgical air drill (HiLAN HS; Aesculap, Tuttlingen, Germany) equipped with a short-hand piece. Operative time and blood loss in the air drill patient group (group 1) were compared with that of patients who underwent pubectomy using a rongeur and/or gouge (group 2, n = 15). RESULTS: In 65 group 1 patients, urethroplasty was carried out using the perineal approach, with partial inferior pubectomy. Eight group 1 patients, whose proximal urethral end was displaced upward superior to the upper edge of pubis, underwent urethroplasty using the perineal and abdominal approach, with a superior partial pubectomy and supracrural urethral rerouting. No difficulty was encountered using the air drill in any of the cases. There was no significant difference in median operative time between the groups (group 1 256 min vs group 2 228 min; P = 0.31). The median blood loss in group 1 was significantly lower than group 2 (149 mL vs 453 mL; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical air drills might facilitate pubectomy in patients undergoing delayed anastomotic urethroplasty for pelvic fracture urethral injury. This tool offers the advantage of a delicate bone resection with reduced blood loss.

Evaluation of the effect of urethroplasty for anterior urethral strictures by a validated disease-specific patient-reported outcome measure.

PURPOSE: To better understand our urethroplasty outcome, we translated the English version of a urethral stricture surgery patient-reported outcome measure (USS-PROM) into Japanese and used it to evaluate the effect of urethroplasty for anterior urethral strictures. METHODS: The PROM quantifies lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and health-related quality of life (EQ-5D), and it evaluates overall satisfaction by asking patients to choose "very satisfied", "satisfied", "unsatisfied", or "very unsatisfied". 93 Japanese-speaking male patients with anterior urethral stricture who underwent urethroplasty completed it before (baseline) and 6 months after urethroplasty. The psychometric criteria evaluated in the present study were the PROM's internal consistency, test-retest reliability, criterion validity, and responsiveness. RESULTS: Qmax was negatively correlated with the LUTS-total scores (r = - 0.61). Cronbach's alpha was 0.80 and the test-retest intraclass correlation coefficient for the LUTS-total score was 0.82. 83 patients (89.2%) achieved stricture-free, which was defined as no re-stricture on cystoscopy and no need for additional treatment. The mean total LUTS-score improved from 12.4 at baseline to 3.7 postoperatively (p < 0.0001). The mean EQ-5D visual analogue scores and EQ-5D index improved from 61.2 and 0.76, respectively, at baseline to 77.9 and 0.89 postoperatively (p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001). 55 patients (59.1%) were "very satisfied" with the outcome of their urethroplasty and 33 (35.5%) were "satisfied". CONCLUSIONS: The Japanese version of the USS-PROM has adequate psychometric properties. Urethroplasty improved not only objective data but also voiding symptoms and health-related QOL, and it resulted in a high rate of patient satisfaction.

Single-surgeon series of delayed anastomotic urethroplasty for pelvic fracture urethral injury: an analysis of surgical and patient-reported outcomes of a 10-year experience in a Japanese referral center.

PURPOSE: To report our experience with delayed anastomotic urethroplasty for pelvic fracture urethral injury (PFUI) during the last 10 years and evaluate both surgical and patient-reported outcomes. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 115 patients undergoing delayed anastomotic urethroplasty for PFUI between 2008 and 2017 by a single surgeon (AH) was performed. Success was defined as a urethral lumen large enough for passage of a 17-Fr flexible cystoscope. We asked patients to complete questionnaires before (baseline) and 1 year after urethroplasty and compared by paired t and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests the answers to a question about LUTS-specific QOL and the health-related QOL indicated by EQ-5D index and visual analogue scores (EQVAS). Overall patient satisfaction 1 year after urethroplasty was also evaluated. RESULTS: Urethroplasty was successful in 108 patients (93.9%), and failed urethroplasty was significantly associated with greater intraoperative blood loss (p = 0.009) and smaller surgical experience (p = 0.018). Sixty-six patients (57.4%) completed questionnaires 1 year after urethroplasty, and 65 of those 66 (98.5%) were "satisfied" (36.4%) or "very satisfied" (62.1%) with the outcome of their urethroplasty. The LUTS-specific QOL scores (p < 0.0001), EQ-5D index scores (p < 0.0001), and EQVAS scores (p < 0.0001) all improved significantly after urethroplasty. CONCLUSIONS: Delayed anastomotic urethroplasty has a high success rate and significant beneficial effects on both LUTS-specific and health-related QOL, resulting in high patient satisfaction. Careful manipulation in a bloodless operative field by experienced surgeons could be the key to successful urethroplasty.