The Use oF Flexible Cystoscope in Posterior Urethroplasty

We present our experience with a simplified anastomotic posterior urethroplasty to highlight the necessity and usefulness of ancillary reconstructive maneuvers. We reviewed the records of 46 patients who had undergone anastomotic repair of posterior urethral strictures due to pelvic trauma between 2000 and 2007. Mean patient age at surgery was 43 years. Average stricture length was 2.3 cm. Repair was performed with a progressive perineal anastomotic procedure using flexible cystoscope by means of transcystostomic approach: after mobilization of the bulbo-membranous urethra and the corporal splitting, the prostatic apex is well visualized and the membranous urethra is sectioned proximally; the flexible cystoscope by means of transcystostomic approach facilitates to find the proximal urethral lumen and to perform the bulbo-prostatic anastomosis. Mean follow-up was 32 months. Of 46 cases, 40 (87 %) were successful and 6 (13 %) failed with recurrence of the stricture. Urinary incontinence did not develop in any patients.

The operative details and maneuvers facilitate the preparation of the bulbo-membranous urethral tract and prostatic apex, and simplify the performance of the anastomotic repair.