Faculty Bibliography

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the success of urethroplasty for urethral strictures arising after erosion of an artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) and rates of subsequent AUS replacement. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 2009-2016, we identified patients from the Trauma and Urologic Reconstruction Network of Surgeons and several other centers. We included patients with urethral strictures arising from AUS erosion undergoing urethroplasty with/without subsequent AUS replacement. We retrospectively reviewed patient demographics, history, stricture characteristics, and outcomes. Variables in patients with and without complications after AUS replacement were compared using Chi-Square test, independent samples t-test, and Mann-Whitney-U test when appropriate. RESULTS: Thirty-one men were identified with the inclusion criteria. Radical prostatectomy was the etiology of incontinence in 87%, and 33% had radiation therapy. Anastomotic (28) and buccal graft substitution (3) urethroplasty were performed. Follow-up cystoscopy was done in 28 patients (median 4.5 months, interquartile range[IQR]: 3-8) showing no urethral stricture recurrences. Median overall follow-up was 22.0 months (IQR: 15-38). In 27 men (87%), AUS was replaced at median of 6.0 months (IQR: 4-7) after urethroplasty. In 25 patients with >3 months of follow-up after AUS replacement, urethral complications requiring AUS revision / removal occurred in 9 patients (36%) and included sub-cuff atrophy (3), and erosion (6). Mean length of stricture was higher in patients who developed a complication after urethroplasty and AUS replacement (2.2 vs. 1.5 cm, p=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with urethral stricture after AUS erosion, urethroplasty is successful. However, AUS replacement after urethroplasty has a high erosion rate even in the short-term.

In recent years, the issues of the transgender population have become more visible in the media worldwide. Transgender patients at various stages of their transformation will present to urologic clinics requiring general or specialized urologic care. Knowledge of specifics of reconstructed anatomy and potential unique complications of the reconstruction will become important in providing urologic care to these patients. In this article, we have concentrated on describing diagnosis and treatment of the more common urologic complications after female-to-male reconstructions: urethrocutaneous fistulae, neourethral strictures, and symptomatic persistent vaginal cavities.

Introduction & Objective: The management of concurrent ipsilateral ureteral strictures is challenging as the ureter cannot be transected in two places. The mainstays of reconstruction in this clinical scenario include renal autotransplant or ileal ureter, both of which are associated with morbid short and long-term complications. The concept of an onlay graft or flap to increase the size of the lumen is a well-established technique for urethral reconstruction. We demonstrate the feasibility of this concept to the ureter by placing an onlay of bladder and appendix to manage concurrent ureteral strictures. Materials and Methods: A 66-year-old man with bilateral proximal ureteral stones who developed a 3 cm right distal ureteral stricture, and a 6 cm right proximal ureteral after undergoing ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy at an outside institution. These strictures were refractory to endoscopic management. The patient had an elevated creatinine. Robotic reconstruction was performed. Simultaneous intraoperative ureteroscopy was performed to delineate the stricture. As the ureteroscope was passed retrograde, the 3 cm distal and 6 cm proximal ureteral strictures were incised using the robot along the anterior aspect of the ureter. The patient's appendix was mobilized, detubularized, and placed as an onlay flap onto the proximal stricture. The distal ureteral stricture was repaired by marsupializing a flap of bladder onto the ureter for a non-transecting reimplant. Results: The patient had an uneventful postoperative course and went home on postoperative day 4. Nephrostogramperformed at 6 weeks post op demonstrated prompt drainage of contrast after stent removal. Patient did not have flank pain after stent removal, and ultrasound at 4 months post op demonstrated no hydronephrosis. Conclusions: For the appropriate patient, ureteral reconstruction using onlay of appendix and bladder is a feasible option for multiple ureteral strictures. Long-term outcomes need to be elucidated

Urologists in the United States may see a greater number of transgender or gender-variant patients in their practices due to changing legislation, insurance coverage, and greater social acceptance of transgender individuals. While gender-confirming surgeries should only be attempted by experienced reconstructive surgeons, patients may seek care from general urologists for orchiectomy and management of voiding dysfunction or other concerns that may be complicated by prior reconstructions

BACKGROUND: Urethral strictures or fistulas are common complications after phalloplasty. Neourethral defects pose a difficult reconstructive challenge using standard techniques as there is generally insufficient ventral tissue to support a graft urethroplasty. We report our experience with local fasciocutaneous flaps for support of ventrally-placed buccal mucosal grafts (BMGs) in phalloplasty. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients who underwent phalloplasty and subsequently required revision urethroplasty using BMGs between 2011 and 2015 was completed. Techniques, complications, additional procedures, and outcomes were examined. RESULTS: A total of three patients previously underwent phalloplasty with sensate radial forearm free flaps (RFFFs): two female-to-male (FTM) gender reassignment, and one oncologic penectomy. Mean age at revision urethroplasty was 41 years (range 31-47). Indications for surgery were: one meatal stenosis, four urethral strictures (mean length 3.6 +/- 2.9 cm), and two urethrocutaneous fistulas. The urethral anastomosis at the base of the neophallus was the predominant location for complications: 3/4 strictures, and 2/2 fistulas. Medial thigh (2) or scrotal (1) fasciocutaneous flaps were used to support the BMG for urethroplasty. One stricture recurrence at 3 years required single-stage ventral BMG urethroplasty supported by a gracilis musculocutaneous flap. All patients were able to void from standing at mean follow up of 8.7 months (range 6-13). A total of two patients (66%) subsequently had successful placement of a penile prosthesis. CONCLUSIONS: Our early results indicate that local or regional fasciocutaneous flaps enable ventral placement of BMGs for revision urethroplasty after phalloplasty.