To identify the currently utilised techniques of anterior urethroplasty described in literature for treatment of urethral strictures, assess the effectiveness of the identified techniques based on re-stricture and complication rates, evaluate, and suggest treatment options based on current evidence for urethral strictures at different locations and of different lengths.
A systematic review of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus and Cochrane Library databases from conception up to September 2020 was performed. Primary outcomes included success rates measured via re-stricture rates and the post-operative maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax). Secondary outcomes included patient reported complication rates.
A total of 52 papers, including 7 RCTs, met the inclusion criteria. Forty studies described the use of free graft urethroplasty with a median success rate of 86.5% (IQR=8.1). The best outcomes were found in dorsal onlay buccal mucosa (BM) grafting in the penile urethra (86.6%). Twelve described the use of pedicled flap urethroplasty with a median success rate of 76% (IQR=14.4). Excision and Primary Anastomosis results were reported in 5 studies and showed an overall highest success rate of 89.7% (IQR=7.0) but involved the shortest strictures of median lengths of 2.1cm (IQR=0.48).
Graft urethroplasty showed optimal outcomes when utilised in penile and bulbar strictures, with dorsal onlay buccal mucosa grafting presenting with the largest evidence base and best outcomes overall. Flap urethroplasty had the highest success rates in panurethral and bulbar strictures, while anastomotic urethroplasty had the greatest success in bulbar and penobulbar strictures.
Urology. 2021 Sep 16 [Epub ahead of print]
Dr Sara Jasionowska, Dr Antoni Bochinski, Vishal Shiatis, Sobha Singh, Mr Oliver Brunckhorst, Mr Rowland W Rees, Mr Kamran Ahmed
School of Bioscience Education, Guy's Campus, King's College London, London, UK; MRC Centre for Transplantation, Guy's Hospital Campus, King's College London, King's Health Partners, London, UK., School of Bioscience Education, Guy's Campus, King's College London, London, UK., MRC Centre for Transplantation, Guy's Hospital Campus, King's College London, King's Health Partners, London, UK., Urology Department, University Hospital Southampton, NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK., School of Bioscience Education, Guy's Campus, King's College London, London, UK; Department of Urology, King's College Hospital, London, UK. Electronic address: .