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Urethral Strictures (urethral + stricture)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	100%

Kinds of Urethral Strictures

anterior urethral stricture

Selected Abstracts

VESSEL-SPARING EXCISION AND PRIMARY ANASTOMOSIS (FOR PROXIMAL BULBAR URETHRAL STRICTURES)

BJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 6 2008
Robert Whitaker
No abstract is available for this article. [source]

Prevention of urethral stricture in insertion of an inflatable penile prosthesis

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF UROLOGY, Issue 2 2008
Sung Won Lee
Objective: The aim of this study was to find the mechanism that causes urethral stricture with a view to preventing its occurrence after implantation of a three-piece inflatable penile prosthesis. Methods: When implanting a three-piece inflatable penile prosthesis, we draw two longitudinal lines parallel to the long axis of the proximal cylinder and the tubing leading from each cylinder into the cavernosal space, to prevent 360 degree rotation of the cylinder. Results: From September 1993 to February 2007, a total 86 three-piece penile prosthesis implantations were carried out in 70 patients. Urethral stricture occurred in 5.8% (5/86) of the prosthesis operations. Fifteen three-piece penile prosthesis reinsertions were carried out in 17.4% (15/86) of the prosthesis recipients. Conclusions: A successful outcome was achieved in the patients who received penile implantation with the three-piece penile prosthesis that were marked with longitudinal lines. The rotation of the cylinder may cause compression on the urethra from the tubing leading from the cylinder or pump crossing over the urethra and resulting in urethral stricture. The drawing of longitudinal lines at the proximal cylinder and tubing leading from the cylinder could prevent the urethral stricture induced by tubes that are twisted by rotation of the cylinder. [source]

Infection-induced urethral defect treated by urethral reconstruction with a radial forearm flap

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF UROLOGY, Issue 2 2005
TORU KANNO
Abstract A 47-year-old man was admitted with the chief complaint of a urethral defect. An approximately 17-cm defect of the urethra seemed to have been occurred by the infection of implanted foreign bodies in the penile skin. Reconstruction of the urethra and the ventral skin was performed with a free radial forearm flap. A fistula formed at the proximal anastomosis after the operation, but was controlled conservatively. Urethral stricture at the proximal anastomosis subsequently developed. A urethral stent made of shape memory alloy was placed with the preservation of voiding function. [source]

Urethral strictures and their surgical treatment

BJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 5 2000
D.E. Andrich
First page of article [source]

Prevention of urethral stricture in insertion of an inflatable penile prosthesis

Peri-operative complications of holmium laser enucleation of the prostate: experience in the first 280 patients, and a review of literature

BJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 1 2007
Hemendra N. Shah
OBJECTIVE To evaluate, in a prospective study, the complications in 280 patients undergoing holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) at our institution, and to review previous reports to determine the overall incidence and types of various complications, and analyse their causes and means of prevention. PATIENTS AND METHODS We analysed the patients' demographic, peri-operative and follow-up data, and the complications during and after surgery. RESULTS HoLEP was completed successfully in 268 patients (95.7%); eight required conversion to transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) during the initial experience. The morcellation device and laser malfunctioned in two patients each. A blood transfusion was required during HoLEP in one patient; other complications included capsular perforation (9.6%), superficial bladder mucosal injury (3.9%) and ureteric orifice injury (2.1%). A blood transfusion was needed after HoLEP in 1.4% of patients and cystoscopy with clot evacuation in 0.7%. Transient urinary incontinence was the commonest complication after HoLEP, in 10.7% of patients, but recovered spontaneously in all except two (0.7%). Other rare complications were re-catheterization (3.9%), urinary tract infection (3.2%), epididymitis (0.7%), meatal and submeatal stenosis (2.5%), bulbar urethral stricture (2.1%), bladder neck contracture (0.35%) and myocardial infarction (0.35%). CONCLUSIONS There was a low incidence of complications with HoLEP; most were minor and easily managed. Our results are comparable with those published previously, and establish HoLEP as safe and reproducible procedure. While gaining experience, HoLEP can be converted to TURP with no harm to the patient. [source]

A comparison of one-stage procedures for post-traumatic urethral stricture repair

BJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 9 2005
Andreas P. Berger
OBJECTIVE To compare the results and complication rates of various one-stage treatments for repairing a post-traumatic urethral stricture. PATIENTS AND METHODS The medical records of 153 patients who had a post-traumatic urethral stricture repaired between 1977 and 2003 were evaluated retrospectively, and analysed for the different types of urethral reconstruction. RESULTS The procedures included direct end-to-end anastomosis in 86 (56%) patients, free dorsal onlay graft urethroplasty using preputial or inguinal skin in 40 (26%), ventral onlay urethroplasty using buccal mucosa in seven (5%) and ventral fasciocutaneous flaps on a vascular pedicle in 20 (13%). At a mean (median, range) follow-up of 75.2 (38, 12,322) months, 121 (79%) patients had no evidence of recurrent stricture, while in 32 men (21%) they were detected at a mean follow-up of 30.47 (1,96) months. Patients having a dorsal onlay urethroplasty had the longest strictures. The re-stricture rate was lowest after a dorsal onlay urethroplasty (5% vs 27% when treated with end-to-end anastomosis, 15% after fasciocutaneous flaps and 57% after a ventral buccal mucosal graft). The surgical technique used had no effect on postoperative incontinence or erectile dysfunction rates. CONCLUSION In patients with strictures which are too long to be excised and re-anastomosed, tension-free dorsal onlay urethroplasty is better than ventral graft or flap techniques. In patients with short urethral strictures direct end-to-end anastomosis remains an option for the one-stage repair of urethral stricture. [source]

Perineal anastomotic urethroplasty for managing post-traumatic urethral strictures in children: the long-term outcome

BJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 3 2005
Ashraf T. Hafez
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the long-term results of one-stage perineal anastomotic urethroplasty for post-traumatic paediatric urethral strictures. PATIENTS AND METHODS Thirty-five boys who had a perineal anastomotic urethroplasty for post-traumatic bulbous or posterior urethral strictures between 1991 and 2003 were analysed retrospectively. Patients were followed up for a mean (range) of 46 (6,132) months by a history, urinary flow rate estimate, retrograde urethrography and voiding cysto-urethrography. RESULTS The mean (range) age of the patients was 11.9 (6,18) years. The estimated radiographic stricture length before surgery was 2.6 (1,5) cm. The perineal anastomotic repair was successful in 31 of 35 (89%) patients. All treatment failures were at the anastomosis and were within the first year. Failed repairs were successfully managed endoscopically in two patients and by repeat perineal anastomotic repair in the remaining two, giving a final success rate of 100%. All boys are continent except two who had early stress incontinence, and that resolved with time. There was no chordee, penile shortening or urethral diverticula during the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS The overall success of a one-stage perineal anastomotic repair of post-traumatic urethral strictures in boys is excellent, with minimal morbidity. Substitution urethroplasty or abdomino-perineal repair should be reserved for the occasional patients with concomitant anterior urethral stricture disease or a complex posterior urethral stricture, respectively. [source]

Tunica albuginea urethroplasty for anterior urethral strictures: A urethroscopic analysis

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF UROLOGY, Issue 9 2009
Raj K Mathur
Objective: To assess the efficacy of tunica albuginea urethroplasty (TAU) for anterior urethral strictures. Methods: We assessed 206 patients with anterior urethral strictures who underwent TAU. The procedure involves mobilization of strictured urethra and laying it open with a dorsal slit. Edges of the slit-open urethra are sutured to edges of the urethral groove with a silicon catheter in situ. Thus in neourethra, the roof is formed by tunica albuginea of the urethral groove. Results were assessed at 6, 12, 24 and 36 months by comparative analysis of patient satisfaction along with retrograde urethrogram, urethrosonogram, uroflowmetry, and were categorized as good, fair and poor. Good and fair results were considered as successful. Thirty patients were taken for postoperative urethroscopic analysis to allow better understanding of both successful and failed cases. Results: Postoperative evaluation at 6 months showed a 96.6% success rate, which decreased to 94.7% at 1 year, 93.2% at 2 years and over 90% at the end of 3 years. The overall failure rate was 9.2%, which required revision surgery. Urethroscopic visualization of the reconstruction site showed wide, patent and distensible neourethra uniformly lined by urothelium over roof formed by tunica albuginea of the corpora cavernosa in successful cases. Failure cases showed diffuse fibrotic narrowing or circumferential scarring. Conclusion: Tunica albuginea is a locally available distensible tissue, sufficient to maintain the patency of the neourethra, without any graft or flap. TAU is easier and useful when patients have unhealthy oral mucosa due to tobacco chewing. [source]

Dorsal onlay lingual mucosal graft urethroplasty: Comparison of two techniques

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF UROLOGY, Issue 11 2008
Pratap B Singh
Objectives: To compare the results of two different techniques of dorsal onlay lingual mucosal graft (LMG) urethroplasty for anterior urethral strictures. Methods: Thirty patients underwent dorsal onlay LMG urethroplasty by Barbagli's technique (group I) and 25 through a ventral sagittal urethrotomy approach (group II). All of the patients were followed up with a pericatheter urethrography at 3 weeks, retrograde urethrography with micturating cystourethrography and uroflowmetry at 3, 6 and 12 months. Results: Mean follow up was 22 months and 13 months in group I and II, respectively. The mean peak flow rate increased from 4.2 mL/s preoperatively to 35.5, 25.06 and 25 mL/s at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively, in group I and from 7.8 mL/s to 34.2, 28.4 and 26.2 mL/s at 3, 6 and 12 months, respectively, in group II. Five patients in group I and two patients in group II had an anastomotic stricture at 12 months. Meatal narrowing was seen in five patients in group I and three patients in group II. The overall success rate was 83.4% and 76.6% in group I and 90% and 80% in group II at 6 and 12 months, respectively. One patient had chordee in group I and no patient had chordee in group II. There was a shorter operative time and less blood loss in group II. Conclusions: Dorsal onlay LMG urethroplasty through a ventral sagittal approach is better than the Barbagli's technique in terms of results and complications. [source]

Risk Factors for Erectile Dysfunction in Patients with Urethral Strictures Secondary to Blunt Trauma

THE JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE, Issue 11 2008
Chao Feng PhD
ABSTRACT Introduction., Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a well-known consequence of pelvic fracture, particularly in cases involving urethral injury. There are several risk factors that may be related to ED. However, no systemic approach is used to assess erectile function secondary to urethral trauma. Aim., To investigate ED associated with urethral injury secondary to pelvic fracture and perineal trauma. Methods., Forty patients with traumatic urethral strictures secondary to blunt traumatic impact episode to the pelvis or perineum were included in our study. Pelvic fractures and urethral strictures were categorized according to injury types and radiological findings. All patients underwent nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) monitoring, dynamic color-duplex Doppler ultrasonography (D-CDDU) before surgery. NPT monitoring was conducted again after surgery. Main Outcome Measures., The events of NPT and D-CDDU were recorded. Results., In all patients, 11 had organic ED demonstrated by NPT. Vascular pathology was identified in three of 11 patients (27%). The peak systolic velocity of cavernosal artery was lower in patients with pubic diastasis in comparison to those without diastasis (P < 0.05). Significant changes in penile length and circumference were noted in posterior urethral injury compared with anterior urethral injury during erection (P < 0.05). The erectile duration time has a similar statistical difference in two groups mentioned above. However, no significant difference could be observed in the end-to-end anatomosis procedure before and after surgery (P > 0.05). Conclusions., The pelvic fracture type, especially pubic diastasis, is a risk factor for ED following urethral injury. Location of the stricture is also a risk factor for subsequent erectile dysfunction. Feng C, Xu Y-M, Yu J-J, Fei X-F, and Chen L. Risk factors for erectile dysfunction in patients with urethral strictures secondary to blunt trauma. J Sex Med 2008;5:2656,2661. [source]

Sexually transmitted infections: impact on male fertility

ANDROLOGIA, Issue 2 2008
F. R. Ochsendorf
Summary The impact of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) on male fertility is strongly dependent on the local prevalence of the STDs. In Western countries STD-infections are of minor relevance. In other regions, i.e. Africa or South East Asia, the situation appears to be different. Acute urethritis could not be associated with male infertility. Chronic infections (gonorrhoea) can cause urethral strictures and epididymo-orchitis. Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoea can be transmitted to the female partner and cause pelvic inflammatory disease with tubal obstruction. Ureaplasma urealyticum may impair spermatozoa (motility, DNA condensation). Trichomonas vaginalis has, if any, only minor influence on male fertility. The relevance of viral infections (HPV, HSV) for male infertility is not resolved. Any STD increases the chances of transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The HIV infection is associated with infectious semen and the risk of virus transmission. Semen quality deteriorates with the progression of immunodeficiency. Special counselling of serodiscordant couples is needed. STDs should be treated early and adequately to prevent late sequelae for both men and women. [source]

A morphometric analysis of bulbar urethral strictures

BJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 2 2007
Andre G. Cavalcanti
In a beautifully descriptive paper, authors from Rio de Janeiro and San Francisco report a quantitative and qualitative histological analysis of spongiosal tissue in patients with bulbar urethral strictures. They found that stricture formation was characterised by major alterations in extracellular matrix features. OBJECTIVE To report a quantitative and qualitative histological analysis of spongiosum tissue in patients with bulbar urethral strictures. MATERIALS AND METHODS Urethral specimens from 15 patients who had end-to-end anastomotic urethroplasty were evaluated; the control group comprised five bulbar urethras from cadavers. The collagen content, elastic fibres, smooth muscle and vessels were analysed using stereological methods. RESULTS There was complete loss of the relationship between smooth muscle, extracellular matrix and sinusoids in the peri-luminal area (PLA), with collagen replacement. The extension of the fibrotic area was greater in those with a traumatic than in those with an atraumatic stricture. The content of smooth muscle and collagen in the peripheral spongiosum (PS) area was similar for the stricture and control groups, and results were comparable for traumatic and atraumatic groups and those with suprapubic cystostomy diversion or not before surgery. There was a remarkably lower vascular density in the traumatic than in the atraumatic group. There was an increase in type III collagen in the PLA and in type I collagen in the PS; collagen type III in the PLA was greater in the group with no suprapubic cystostomy diversion before surgery. There were fewer elastic fibres in both stricture areas (PLA and PS) than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS Urethral stricture formation is characterized by marked changes in extracellular matrix features, with consequent changes in organ function. [source]

The pathophysiology of lower urinary tract symptoms after brachytherapy for prostate cancer

BJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 6 2006
Jerry G. Blaivas
Brachytherapy for prostate cancer has many good effects, but is also associated, like every treatment, with side-effects, some of which have been previously reported in the BJU International. In this section, authors from New York assessed the pathophysiology underlying LUTS which persisted for at least 6 months after brachytherapy, and found a relatively high incidence of detrusor overactivity and other conditions affecting the lower urinary tract. OBJECTIVES To determine the spectrum of pathophysiology underlying the lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) persisting for ,,6 months after brachytherapy for localized prostate cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS A database of men from two practice settings was searched for men who developed LUTS persisting for ,,6 months after completing brachytherapy for localized prostate cancer. Patients were evaluated with a structured history and physical examination, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), 24-h voiding diary, noninvasive free-flow uroflowmetry, postvoid residual urine volume (PVR), cystoscopy and a video-urodynamic study. Specific data collected included symptoms, elapsed time since brachytherapy, Gleason score, IPSS, total number of voids/24 h, maximum voided volume, cystoscopic findings, and urodynamics findings (PVR, maximum urinary flow rate, Schaefer obstruction grade, Watts factor, incidence of detrusor overactivity (DO) urethral obstruction and low bladder compliance). These data were compared with those from a previous study of men with LUTS who did not have prostate cancer. RESULTS The study included 47 men (aged 54,88 years); the median (range) interval between brachytherapy and evaluation was 1.5 (0.5,13) years. Thirty-seven men complained of overactive bladder symptoms (79%), and 31 of incontinence (71%), 21 of obstructive symptoms (44%), and persistent dysuria in 12 (26%). Comparison of urodynamic findings in men with unselected causes of LUTS vs LUTS due to brachytherapy revealed the following comparisons: DO in 252 of 541 (47%) unselected vs 28 of 33 (85%) brachytherapy, (P < 0.001); and urethral obstruction in 374 of 541 (69%) unselected vs 24 of 33 (73%) brachytherapy (P = 0.85). CONCLUSION The pathophysiology and severity of persistent LUTS in men after brachytherapy differs from that of men with LUTS in the general population. Men after brachytherapy have a much higher incidence of DO, prostatic and urethral strictures and prostatic urethral stones. [source]

Donor-site morbidity in buccal mucosa urethroplasty: lower lip or inner cheek?

BJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 4 2005
Stefan Kamp
Authors from Germany debate the issue as to whether the donor site for oral mucosa used in urethroplasty should be taken from the inner cheek or the lower lip, using morbidity as a deciding factor. As a result of their study they have changed their technique, now using the inner cheek as the donor site whenever possible. OBJECTIVE To evaluate donor-site complications of buccal mucosa urethroplasty and whether there is a difference in morbidity between harvesting the mucosa graft from the inner cheek or the lower lip. PATIENTS AND METHODS Twenty-four consecutive patients with recurrent urethral strictures were treated with buccal mucosa urethroplasty in our department between September 2002 and April 2004. In 12 patients the graft was harvested from the lower lip or cheek and lower lip (group 1), and in 12 patients from the cheek (group 2). The mean (range) age of patients was 51 (26,66) years in group 1 and 53 (32,75) years in group 2. The mean (range) graft length was 6.2 (2,16) cm in group 1 and 5.7 (2,13) cm in group 2. All patients were followed up using a mailed questionnaire that asked about pain, numbness, difficulties in mouth opening or ingestion, and satisfaction, monthly for the first 3 months and then every 6 months. The mean (range) follow-up was 12.5 (6,23) months. RESULTS There were no bleeding complications or disturbances in wound healing. All of the patients reported numbness in the area of the mental and buccal nerves, and graft-site tenderness after surgery. In group 1, the pain lasted for a mean (range) of 5.9 (0.5,22) months, compared to 1 (0.1,7) months in group 2 (P = 0.022). Perioral numbness lasted for a mean (range) of 10.3 (0.5,23) months in group 1 and 0.85 (0.1,3) months (P = 0.0027) in group 2. There were no statistically significant differences in problems with mouth opening or food intake between the two groups, but the patients in group 1 seemed to be less satisfied (6/12 patients satisfied) than those in group 2 (11/12 patients satisfied). CONCLUSIONS Buccal mucosa graft harvesting from the lower lip and the inner cheek are both feasible, but harvesting from the lower lip resulted in a significantly greater long-term morbidity, which resulted in a lower proportion of satisfied patients. This seems to be due to a long-lasting neuropathy of the mental nerve. We therefore have changed our technique entirely from lower lip to inner cheek graft harvesting, whenever possible. [source]

Managing varicoceles in children: results with microsurgical varicocelectomy

BJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 3 2005
Jonathan Schiff
Authors from New York present their experience of elective varicocelectomy, using microsurgical techniques, in a large series of children. They found the procedure to be safe and effective, and gave a much lower complication rate than the published rate in open varicocelectomy. The results of urethroplasty in post-traumatic paediatric urethral strictures are presented by authors from Mansoura. They found the overall success of one-stage perineal anastomotic repair of such strictures to be excellent, with very little morbidity. OBJECTIVE To report our experience of microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy in boys aged ,,18 years. PATIENTS AND METHODS Boys aged ,,18 years treated with microsurgical varicocelectomy between 1996 and 2000 at one institution were retrospectively reviewed. Indications for surgery included ipsilateral testicular atrophy, large varicocele or pain. Microsurgery was assisted by an operating microscope (×10,25) allowing preservation of the lymphatics, and the testicular and cremasteric arteries. Patient age, varicocele grade, complications and follow-up interval were recorded. RESULTS In all there were 97 microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomies (23 bilateral) in 74 boys (mean age 14.7 years). Left-sided varicoceles were significantly larger (mean grade 2.9) than right-sided (mean grade 1.4) varicoceles. The mean follow-up was 9.6 months. There were four complications: two hydroceles, of which one resolved spontaneously after 4 months; one patient had persistent orchialgia that resolved after 8 months; and one developed hypertrophic scarring at the inguinal incision site. There were no infections, haematomas or intraoperative injuries to the vas deferens or testicular arteries. All boys were discharged home on the day of surgery. CONCLUSIONS Microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy in boys is a safe, minimally invasive and effective means of treating varicoceles. Compared with published results of the retroperitoneal mass ligation technique, which has a 15% overall complication rate and a 7,9% hydrocele occurrence rate, the microsurgical subinguinal approach appears to offer less morbidity, with a 1% hydrocele rate. We consider that microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy offers the best results with lower morbidity than other techniques. [source]

Perineal anastomotic urethroplasty for managing post-traumatic urethral strictures in children: the long-term outcome

Buccal mucosal urethroplasty: is it the new gold standard?

BJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 9 2004
S. Bhargava
Whilst techniques for urethral reconstruction have developed in the past few decades the quest for an ideal substitute continues. We critically review the literature on buccal mucosal grafts for substitution urethroplasty, to determine the efficacy and complications arising from its use. Buccal mucosal grafts have proved to be a versatile substitute for strictures attributable to a wide range of causes. Placing the graft dorsally appears to be more successful than ventrally and was successful in 96% of cases; after treating complex urethral strictures with two-stage procedures about a quarter of patients required a revision after the first stage with fewer complications then when skin was used as a substitute. Thus, buccal mucosa is most likely to become the new gold standard for substitution urethroplasty and longer term results with its use are eagerly awaited. [source]

Is the conservative management of chronic retention in men ever justified?

BJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 6 2003
T.S. Bates
OBJECTIVE To assess the outcome of men presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) associated with large postvoid residual urine volumes (PVR). PATIENTS AND METHODS The study included men presenting with LUTS and a PVR of >,250 mL who, because of significant comorbidity, a low symptom score or patient request, were managed conservatively and prospectively, and were followed with symptom assessment, serum creatinine levels, flow rates and renal ultrasonography. Patients were actively managed if there was a history of previous outflow tract surgery, prostate cancer, urethral strictures, neuropathy, elevated creatinine or hydronephrosis. In all, 93 men (mean age 70 years, range 40,84) with a median (range) PVR of 363 mL (250,700) were included in the study and followed for 5 (3,10) years. At presentation, the median maximum flow rate was 10.2 (3,30) mL/s and the voided volume 316 (89,714) mL. RESULTS The measured PVR remained stable in 47 (51%), reduced in 27 (29%) and increased in 19 (20%) patients; 31 patients (33%) went on to transurethral resection of the prostate after a median of 30 (10,120) months, because of serum creatinine elevation (two), acute retention (seven), increasing PVR (eight) and worsening symptoms (14). Of 31 patients 25 were available for evaluation after surgery; their median PVR was 159 (0,1000) mL, flow rate 18.4 (4,37) mL/s and voided volume 321 (90,653) mL. Symptoms were improved in all but five men. There was no difference in initial flow rate, voided volume or PVR between those who developed complications or went on to surgery and those who did not. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) occurred in five patients and two developed bladder stones. CONCLUSIONS Complications such as renal failure, acute retention and UTIs are uncommon in men with large, chronic PVRs. Conservative management for this group of patients is reasonable but outpatient review is prudent. There were no factors that could be used to predict those patients who eventually required surgery. [source]

An unrandomized prospective comparison of urinary continence, bowel symptoms and the need for further procedures in patients with and with no adjuvant radiation after radical prostatectomy

BJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 4 2003
T. Hofmann
OBJECTIVE To prospectively assess, using a questionnaire-based study, the relative differences and changes in urinary continence and bowel symptoms, and the need for further surgery, within the first year after radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) in patients with and with no adjuvant radiotherapy (aRT). PATIENTS AND METHODS The study included 96 men with clinically organ-confined adenocarcinoma of the prostate who underwent RRP between March 1998 and June 1999. A subset of 36 patients was recommended aRT of the prostatic fossa (median dose 54 Gy) because of positive surgical margins and/or seminal vesicle involvement. Using a mailed questionnaire all patients were prospectively assessed at 4-month intervals for the first year after RRP. RESULTS Valid data were analysed from 83 patients (overall response rate 86%), of whom 30 (36%) had received aRT. At 4 months a significantly lower proportion used no pads and significantly more used 1 pad/day in the aRT than in the RRP group (both P < 0.05). Eight and 12 months after RRP there was no statistically significant difference between the groups in urinary incontinence. However, 53% of men in the aRT group had stool urgency and 13% reported fecal incontinence at 4 months, compared with 1.9% and none (both P < 0.01) of the RRP group. At 1 year after RRP bowel symptoms and fecal continence improved in the aRT group and there was no significant difference for these symptoms between the groups. Starting aRT early (, 12 weeks after RP) or late (> 12 weeks) had no significant effect on urinary continence, bowel symptoms and fecal incontinence. Apart from dilatation of urethral strictures in one patient in each group, no further procedures were reported during the follow-up. CONCLUSION A moderate dose of aRT after RRP had a temporary effect on subjective urinary continence at 4 months but not at 8 and 12 months. More patients receiving aRT reported significant bowel symptoms at 4 and 8 months than those with RRP only, but at 1 year most of these symptoms had resolved and there were no significant differences between the groups. [source]

The urethral Kock pouch: long-term functional and oncological results in men

BJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 4 2003
A.A. Shaaban
The Department of Urology in Mansoura has a well-known experience in, among many things, urinary tract reconstruction in patients with bladder cancer. They review their results in 338 male patients who had a radical cystectomy and Kock pouch. They found good functional and oncological outcomes in properly selected patients. However, they also drew attention to several valve-related complications. OBJECTIVE To evaluate our experience with men who underwent radical cystectomy and urethral Kock pouch construction between January 1986 and January 1996. PATIENTS AND METHODS Complications were classified as early (within the first 3 months after surgery) or late. Continence was assessed by interviewing the patient; they were considered continent if they were completely dry with no need of protection by pads, condom catheter or medication. The patients were followed oncologically and Kaplan-Meier survival curves constructed. Urodynamic studies were used to define the possible causes of enuresis. RESULTS Three patients died after surgery from pulmonary embolism. There were 67 early complications in 63 patients. The mean (sd) follow-up was 87.8 (49.1) months. There were 111 treatment failures from cancer; of these, four men only had an isolated local recurrence in the urethra. Late complications included 72 pouch stones in 55 patients, and 36 deteriorated renal units caused by reflux (17), uretero-ileal stricture (11), nipple valve eversion (four) or stenosis (four). Interestingly, 65 renal units that were dilated before surgery improved significantly afterward. Ileo-urethral strictures occurred in seven men and anterior urethral strictures in six. Nine patients were totally incontinent and two had chronic urinary retention. Daytime continence was complete in 94% of men, with nocturnal enuresis in 55; the latter had significantly more residual urine, and a higher amplitude and duration of phasic contractions. CONCLUSIONS Orthotopic bladder substitution after cystectomy for cancer is feasible, with good functional and oncological outcomes in properly selected patients. Nevertheless, the use of a hemi-Kock pouch is associated with many valve-related complications. [source]

Is microscopic haematuria a urological emergency?

BJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 4 2002
M.A. Khan
Objective ,To determine the prevalence of urological pathology in a retrospective and prospective study of patients with microscopic haematuria attending a haematuria clinic. Patients and methods ,Between January 1998 and May 2001, 781 patients attended the haematuria clinic; of these, 368 (47%; median age 60 years, range 18,90) had a history of microscopic haematuria, as detected by urine dipstick testing. These patients were investigated by urine culture and cytology, renal ultrasonography, intravenous urography (IVU), flexible cystoscopy, urea and electrolyte analysis, and assay of prostate specific antigen (PSA) where appropriate. Results ,Urine cytology showed no malignant cells in any patient with a history of microscopic haematuria. In 143 patients (39%), urine cytology showed no red blood cells and all other investigations were normal. Of the remaining 225 patients, IVU showed a tumour in one (bladder), renal stones in 15 and an enlarged prostate in two. Renal ultrasonography detected no additional pathology. Urine analysis showed one urinary tract infection. Flexible cystoscopy detected five patients with a bladder tumour (all G1pTa), two urethral strictures, five bladder stones and enlarged prostates, six enlarged prostates only, and nine red patches in the bladder, showing one patient with carcinoma in situ . No PSA levels were suggestive of prostate cancer. Conclusion ,Patients with dipstick-positive haematuria should be re-assessed by urine microscopy before referral. As only 1.4% of patients had a malignant pathology (all noninvasive), microscopic haematuria should be regarded as a separate entity from macroscopic haematuria, and such patients do not need to be referred urgently. [source]

Dorsal or ventral placement of the preputial/penile skin onlay flap for anterior urethral strictures:does it make a difference?

BJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 1 2001
M. Bhandari
Objective To report our experience in managing complex anterior urethral strictures with a dorsally/dorsolaterally placed penile/preputial vascularized flap, and to discuss the advantages of this procedure over a traditional ventrally placed flap. Patients and methods Between 1995 and 1999, 40 patients (mean age 40.5 years) with recurrent strictures of the pendulous and/or bulbar urethra were treated with longitudinal penile/circumpenile flap substitution urethroplasty. Nineteen patients underwent dorsal placement of the flap as an onlay (DO), whereas 21 patients had a ventral onlay (VO). Five patients needed inferior pubectomy to facilitate high proximal placement of the flap. Results Both groups had statistically similar ages, number of previous interventions, stricture site, length and follow-up. After a median follow-up of 27.5 months, the stricture recurred in three (24%) of the VO and two (11%) of the DO groups (P > 0.05). One patient in the VO group required surgical closure of the urethral fistula. Flap pseudo-diverticulum and/or sacculation with postvoid dribble occurred in six patients in the VO and none in the DO group (P = 0.01). Conclusions Dorsal placement of the pedicled flap is anatomically and functionally more appropriate than the traditional VO placement. DO preputial/penile flap urethroplasty is a versatile procedure and can be applied even for long anterior urethral strictures, including reconstruction of the meatus and high proximal bulbar strictures. [source]