Abstract: PD34-01
Sources of Funding: None

Introduction

Anastomotic urethroplasty is an effective but occasionally controversial treatment for short bulbar urethral strictures. Non-transecting variations of anastomotic urethroplasty were created in part to address this controversy. The objective of this study is to assess current outcomes of anastomotic urethroplasty and compare outcomes of transecting and non-transecting techniques.

Methods

171 patients with complete follow-up underwent anastomotic bulbar urethroplasty from September 2003 to May 2016. Patient age, stricture length, location, etiology, 90-day complications and semi-quantitative assessment of sexual dysfunction were recorded. The primary (objective) outcome was success defined as urethral patency >16Fr on routine follow-up cystoscopy. Secondary outcome measures included 90-day complications (Clavien ≥2) and de novo sexual dysfunction assessed at 6 months. Statistical comparison between transecting and non-transecting cohorts was made using Cox Regression Analysis and Chi-square when appropriate.

Results

One hundred and thirty patients underwent transecting anastomotic urethroplasty while 41 had a non-transecting anastomotic urethroplasty. Mean stricture length was 1.5±0.5cm (range 1-3) with a mean patient age of 43.0±18.0 years. 78.9% of patients failed prior endoscopic treatment (135/171) and 2.4% failed prior urethroplasty (4). Overall there was a 98.2% (168/171) success rate with a mean follow-up of 74.9(±46.7) months. 7.0% (12/171) of patients experienced a 90-day postoperative complication of Clavien ≥2 including 2.9% wound-related complications (5), 1.8% scrotal hematomas (3), 1.8% UTI (3), and 0.6% urethral bleeding (1). 9.9% reported an adverse change in sexual function including 6.4% erectile dysfunction (11), 1.8% ejaculatory dysfunction (3), 1.2% painful erection (2), and 0.6% chordee (1). When comparing transecting and non-transecting technique success using Cox Regression analysis there was no difference in urethroplasty success (97.7% vs. 100%; p=0.63) and no difference in postoperative complications (7.7% vs. 4.9%; p=0.73) but patients undergoing transecting anastomotic urethroplasty were more likely to report an adverse change in sexual function (13.1%; vs. 0%; p=0.013).

Conclusions

Anastomotic urethroplasty remains a highly effective treatment for short-segment bulbar urethral strictures with relatively minimal associated morbidity. Newer non-transecting anastomotic urethroplasty techniques appear to compare favorably in the short-term and may reduce the risk of associated sexual dysfunction.

Funding

None