To present our technique of suprameatal urethrolysis with Martius flap (SMUM) and outcomes of this procedure for refractory female bladder outflow obstruction (BOO).
A retrospective chart review was performed to identify female patients who underwent SMUM between January 2010 and August 2016 after failed transvaginal urethrolysis (TVU) for BOO due to prior stress urinary incontinence (SUI) surgery. The primary outcome measure was surgical success defined as patient ability to void volitionally without need for catheterization or additional surgery for BOO. Secondary outcomes assessed included perioperative outcomes, intraoperative and 30-day complications, change in post-void residual volume (PVR), resolution of urge urinary incontinence (UUI), incidence of recurrent SUI, and treatment for any urinary incontinence.
Eleven patients were identified. After a median follow-up of 10.8 months (range 3.1-20.1), the procedure was successful in nine patients (82%). Postoperative median PVR was 29 cc (range 0-425) and median change in PVR was a 280 cc (range 29-1050) decrease (P < 0.01). Among the seven patients who required catheterization preoperatively, five patients (71%) recovered volitional voiding. Two patients (18%) continued to require indwelling or intermittent catheterization and underwent additional surgery for BOO. SUI recurred in one patient (9%). UUI persisted in all four patients who reported this preoperatively.
SMUM is successful in improving or relieving refractory BOO in this challenging patient population. After TVU, we believe that Martius flap interposition is critical to preventing recurrent fixation of the urethra to the pubic bones and thus achieving improved voiding.
Neurourology and urodynamics. 2017 Jun 20 [Epub ahead of print]
Janine L Oliver, Shlomo Raz
Division of Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Urology, University of California-Los Angeles Medical Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.