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Introduction To investigate the role of trans-labial ultrasound study in detection of female urethral stenosis (FUS) compared to former cysto-urethroscopy as the currently available definitive diagnostic modality. Material and methods In this cross-sectional study, 60 consecutive patients with bladder outlet obstruction diagnosed by clinical symptoms and urodynamic study, were included from 2019 to 2022. For additional assessment, all these patients underwent gel-Infused trans-labial ultrasound (GITLUS) and cystourethroscopy. Trans-labial real-time ultrasonography was performed following the insertion of 20 ml steady stream viscous jelly into the urethral meatus to assess the length of the urethra and exact location and length of the probable narrowing, as well as the presence of peri-urethral fibrosis (PUF). Results In GITLUS evaluation, urethral stricture was found in 27 patients. Mean urethral length and stricture length were 35.63 ±4.78 and 17.04 ±10.59, respectively. All these stenosis were confirmed via cysto-urethroscopy. PUF was found in 20 of 27 patients. In cysto-urethroscopy, urethral stricture was confirmed in 40 patients: 13 in urethral meatus and 27 in other parts or pan-urethra. GITLUS could not reveal urethral stricture in 13 patients with meatal stenosis, confirmed with cystoscopy. GITLUS detected FUS less accurately when it involves pure distal urethra compared to other parts of urethra or pan-urethral stenosis (p value = 0.002). Conclusions GITLUS is a safe, non-invasive, and valuable technique for detecting FUS. The location and the length of the stricture and probable peri-urethral fibrosis can be identified by this method. However, in meatal or pure short-length distal urethral strictures, this method should be used with caution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Urethral strictures can be difficult to diagnose at an early stage because the urinary flow rate does not diminish until the urethral calibre is ≤3 mm. In the past, posturethral surgery follow-up has relied upon flow rates and contrast imaging. Objective To evaluate the role of flexible urethroscopy in the follow-up of patients undergoing urethroplasty. Design, setting, and participants Prospective flexible urethroscopy follow-up of 144 male patients who underwent urethroplasty by a single surgeon over a 10-yr period at a tertiary referral centre. Intervention Flexible urethroscopy at 3, 6, and 12 mo postoperatively, and annually thereafter. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis Type of recurrence, based on urethroscopy findings, and further interventions were measured. Actuarial analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier curves and a log-rank test. Results and limitations All 144 patients underwent flexible urethroscopy follow-up over a median postoperative follow-up of 22 mo (range: 1–96 mo). No further intervention was required for 117 patients (81.25%); 27 (18.75%) developed recurrences that required further treatment. Recurrences included diaphragms (13 patients) or significant restenosis (14 patients). Diaphragms were treated by urethrotomy, gentle dilatation, or a short course of intermittent self-dilatation. Restenosis required repeated simple procedures or surgical revision. Most recurrences (26 of 27, 96%) were detected within the first year. Urinary peak flow-rate data were available for 11 of 27 of these recurrences; 7 patients had flow rates >15 ml/s. Anastomotic procedures had greater success than augmentation urethroplasty ( p = 0.0136); there was no significant difference in outcomes between redo and non-redo surgery ( p = 0.2093) Conclusions Endoscopic follow-up of patients after urethroplasty enables earlier identification and treatment of recurrences compared to the use of urinary flow rates alone. It also enables the identification of two different morphologic recurrence patterns that require different types of intervention. Patient summary Endoscopy detects most stricture recurrences within 1 yr after urethroplasty and is more sensitive than using urinary flow rates alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To establish an experimental rabbit model of urethral stricture using holmium laser under direct urethroscopic visualization. Methods: Sixteen adult male New Zealand rabbits were divided into equally-sized control and experimental groups. All rabbits underwent retrograde urethrography and transurethral endoscopy with a 7.5 F urethroscope after intramuscular anesthetic injection. We used a holmium:YAG laser to injure the distal urethra in all rabbits in the experimental group under direct visualization. Thirty days after surgery, all animals were evaluated with retrograde urethrography and urethroscopy. The flow rate of the isolated urethras was measured to evaluate urethral stricture formation. Results: One rabbit in the experimental group (12.5%) died of infection 4 days after surgery. Thirty days after surgery, retrograde urethrography and urethroscopy revealed strictures in all seven surviving rabbits (87.5%) in the experimental group. The mean flow rate of the isolated urethras was significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group. Conclusion: A rabbit model of urethral stricture can be successfully established using holmium laser under direct urethroscopic visualization, providing an ideal object for research concerning the pathogenesis and molecular biology of urethral strictures. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: To investigate the clinical and radiological parameters of posterior urethral valve (PUV) patients with residual valve or strictures after primary valve ablation. Patients and methods: A total of 127 PUV patients were treated in our clinic between 1986 and 2009. We retrospectively reviewed the records of 101 patients, who had at least 1 year of follow-up data, regarding the presence of valve remnants or urethral strictures after PUV ablation. Results: A total of 21 patients (20.8%) underwent repeat-urethroscopy and, of these, residual valve leaflets or stricture were detected in 10 patients (10/101, 9.9%). In 2 of these 10 (20%), the urethra had been found to be normal on the first voiding cystourethrogram following ablation. However, these two boys underwent re-urethroscopy due to persistent vesicoureteral reflux in one and persistent hydroureteronephrosis in the other, and valve remnants were detected. The remaining 8 cases had radiological signs consistent with persistent infravesical obstruction in the early period. Obstruction was due to urethral stricture and residual valve remnants in 2 and 6 cases, respectively. Conclusions: There was clinical suspicion of residual valve in about 20% of the cases and in half of these the urethra was found to be normal on urethroscopy. The possible presence of residual valve remnants after primary valve ablation should be confirmed by careful clinical, radiological and endoscopic evaluation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: To assess the current etiology, features, and natural history of urethral stricture disease in the developed world. Materials and Methods: We analyzed the data from 1439 male patients with urethral stricture, who had undergone surgical treatment in our referral urethral center from 2000 to 2010. The preoperative evaluation included a detailed clinical history of stricture, uroflowmetry, retrograde and voiding cystourethrography, and urethroscopy. Statistical analysis was done for the stricture site, length, and etiology, patient age, and previous treatments. Results: Strictures were posterior in 112 (7.8%) and anterior in 1327 (92.2%). In the anterior group, 439 were penile (30.5%), 675 bulbar (46.9%), 71 penile plus bulbar (9.9%), and 142 panurethral (4.9%). The main causes were iatrogenic in 556 (38.6%), unknown in 515 (35.8%), lichen sclerosus in 193 (13.4%), and trauma in 156 (10.8%). The main iatrogenic strictures were from catheterization in 234 (16.3%), hypospadias repair in 176 (12.2%), and transurethral surgery in 131 (9.1%). The stricture distribution increased until about 45years and then decreased. Strictures were uncommon in those <20 and >70years old. The mean length was 4.15cm; longer strictures were found in those with lichen sclerosus (7.45cm) or after hypospadias repair (4.42cm) and catheterization (4.40cm). The mean length was also greater in the pretreated (4.34cm) than in the untreated (3.64cm) strictures. Conclusion: Urethral stricture in developed countries mainly involves the anterior urethra, in particular the bulbar tract. The most common cause was iatrogenic. Hypospadias repair and lichen sclerosus represent emerging important causes. Finally, urethral stricture is not a disease of the elderly but involves all ages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To report our results with 1-stage reconstruction in short distal urethral strictures using circular buccal mucosa graft (cBMG). Methods: The data of 19 patients (median age 41.8 years, range 25-58) operated between 2001 and 2010 were reviewed. Patients were evaluated with American Urological Association (AUA) symptom score, uroflowmetry, voiding cystourethrography (VCUG), and intraoperative urethroscopy. Stricture was limited to the glanular urethra (≤2 cm.) in all cases and 16 patients had lichen sclerosus. Strictured urethra was resected 0.5 cm proximal to the healthy urethra and a rectangular BMG with 4-cm length and 1.5- to 2.5-cm width (depending on the length of the defect) was rolled on a 24-Fr sound that calibrated the urethra. Proximal and distal edges of the cBMG were anastomosed circumferentially to the healthy mucosa and meatus, respectively. Foley catheter was removed within 10-14 days. Voiding symptoms, uroflowmetric parameters, and cosmesis were assessed at 1, 3, and 6 months, and yearly thereafter. Results: With a median follow-up of 38 months (range 12-96), 16 (84.2%) patients were cured. One patient developed early graft loss, and 2 patients developed stricture at proximal anastomotic site. Mean Qmax (mL/s) increased from 7.8 ± 5.4 preoperatively to 21.8 ± 9.2 postoperatively (P = .001), and mean AUA score decreased from 26.7 ± 3.9 preoperatively to 7.3 ± 3.8 postoperatively (P < .001). Conclusion: Our results suggest cBMG as a feasible alternative in 1-stage reconstruction of distal strictures confined to the glanular urethra because the glans penis has a good blood supply, providing an efficient circumferential graft take. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this study, the feasibility and the effect of a new biodegradable drug-eluting urethral stents for the treatment of urethral stricture in a rabbit model were evaluated, and the biocompatibility properties of the new biodegradable drug-eluting urethral stents in the rabbit urethral assessed. A total of 34 male New Zealand White rabbits with urethral strictures were used, and equally divided into two groups: with drug stents and drug-free stents. The urethral strictures were made by using a self-control explosion device as the control. Stents were surgically implanted into the stenotic urethras of rabbits under direct vision. Reparative effects, including biocompatibility assessment, were evaluated by urethroscopy, retrograde urethrography, and histology at different intervals at weeks 4, 8, and 12. Although retrograde urethrography and urodynamic results at 12 weeks showed no comparable differences among the three groups, urethroscopic and histological follow-up indicated that the drug stents had minimized the stent-related inflammatory responses, urothelial hyperplasia, and scar formation compared with the drug-free stents. The new biodegradable paclitaxel-eluting stents were more biocompatible and effective for treating urethral strictures in the rabbit model than the drug-free stents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: To establish an experimental model of urethral stricture in rabbits. Methods: A total of 21 adult male New Zealand rabbits were included into group. After intravenous anesthesia, urethroscopy was performed with a pediatric resectoscope (F13). Fifteen animals were randomly selected as the study group. A 1cm-long circumferential electrocoagulation of the bulbar urethra was performed to these animals until ulceration of the mucosa. The remaining 6 animals underwent video urethroscopy without electrocoagulation, serving as controls. On the 30th day, retrograde urethrogram and urethroscopy were performed to evaluate urethral stricture formation, histological examinations (HE and Sirius Red staining) were done to assess urethral pathological change. Results: Two rabbits in study group died and no death occurred in controls. Based on urethrogram and urethroscopy, no rabbits in control group developed urethral stricture, while significant stricture formation was observed in every case of the study group. Histological examination showed a normal urethra in control cases, while at stricture site of the study group extensive fibrosis of muscle and submucous tissue was observed with a large number of fibroblasts infiltration. High collagen expression in fibrosis tissue was assayed by Sirius Red staining. Conclusion: A 1cm-long endoscopic electrocoagulation can successfully induce urethral stricture formation in rabbit models. This method offers an ideal animal model for the fundamental and clinical study of urethral stricture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate efficacy of “U” shaped prostatobulbar anastamosis [USPBA] in a posterior urethral stricture along with its urethroscopic evaluation to let us assess the process of neourethrisation in successful cases as well as pathogenesis of restricture in failure cases. Methods: We analysed results of “U” shaped prostato-bulbar anastamosis in 132 patients with posterior urethral stricture, preoperatively and postoperatively with a retrograde urethrogram, urethrosonogram, uroflowmetry and patient satisfaction (based on symptoms). With comparative analysis, results were categorised as good, fair and poor. Twenty patients were randomly selected for urethroscopic evaluation to directly visualise the anastomotic site. Results: Good and fair results were counted as successful. On immediate postoperative evaluation the success rate was 96.2%, which remained almost the same at 6 months but decreased to 92.42% at 12 months and 90.9% at 24 months. Urethroscopy showed mucosal covering at the area of the roof of neourethra in patients having good results with patent and distensible lumen. Cases with fair results showed similar findings except for some narrowing at places and mucosal irregularities. Poor result cases mostly showed dense fibrosis with collapsed lumen or circumferential scarring leading to constricting stricture. Conclusion: USPBA lacks disadvantages of ring anastamosis and is an effective option for posterior urethral strictures. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Urethral stricture disease in men has traditionally been investigated with ascending and voiding cystourethrography as well as urethroscopy. The main emphasis during the preoperative assessment is on establishing the exact extent of the disease process in order to plan appropriate management. We describe a technique that represents a novel approach to the assessment of proximal urethral stricture and in selected cases would be of immense help in defining its precise nature and planning definitive treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the preventive effect of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (tadalafil) on the formation of urethral stricture after urethral injury.Materials and Methods: A total of 28, 4-month-old male New Zealand rabbits were included and divided into 3 groups. Group 1 was a sham group with 8 rabbits that underwent only urethroscopy. Group 2 was a nontreatment group with 10 rabbits that underwent urethral electrocoagulation without any treatment. Group 3 was the treatment group with 10 rabbits that underwent urethral electrocoagulation with systemic tadalafil treatment. After 30 days of follow-up, urethroscopy and retrograde urethrography were performed to evaluate the morphological changes in the urethra. The urethra tissues were examined with standard light microscopy by a histologist, and apoptosis was evaluated by the terminal dUTP nick end-labeling assay.Results: Urethral diameters in group 1, group 2, and group 3 were 9.14 ± 0.73 mm, 3.52 ± 1.2 mm, and 7.68 ± 1.14 mm, respectively. The differences in urethral diameters were statistically significant between groups (P < .01). Collagen deposition in submucosal connective tissue was significantly less in the tadalafil group vs the nontreatment group. The numbers of apoptotic cells in submucosal connective tissue were also quantitatively higher in urethral stricture groups compared to the sham group.Conclusion: Tadalafil treatment had a protective effect against the formation of urethral stricture in rabbit model. This treatment can be a promising opportunity for urethral stricture and must be supported by clinical studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare 2 urethral stricture models and determine the appropriate model for the generation of urethral stricture in rabbits. Methods: A total of 28 adult male New Zealand rabbits were included in the present study. They were separated randomly into 3 groups. Urethroscopy was performed using a pediatric resectoscope (13F). In 1 group (10 rabbits), circumferential electrocoagulation of the anterior urethra 2-3 mm long was performed until ulceration of the mucosa occurred. In the second group (10 rabbits), 2-3 mm wide resection from the anterior urethra was performed that was deep enough to expose the periurethral tissue to allow urine leakage from the lumen. The remaining 8 rabbits as the control group underwent only urethroscopy. On the 30th day, retrograde urethrography and urethroscopy were performed to evaluate urethral stricture formation. Histologic examination was done to evaluate the urethral pathologic changes. Results: According to the urethrography and urethroscopy findings, no rabbits in the electrocoagulation or control group developed urethral stricture; however, significant stricture formation was observed in every case of the electroresection group. Regenerating urothelium at the luminal side of the urethra was seen in 6 rabbits in the electrocoagulation group and 4 showed normal urethra. In the electroresection group, extensive fibrosis that obstructed the urethral lumen and nodular collagen bundles in the urethral wall were seen. Conclusion: The electroresection method is more reliable than the electrocoagulation method in developing urethral stricture in the rabbit model. A 2-3-mm-wide resection from the anterior urethra can successfully generate urethral stricture with respect to electrocoagulation. Electroresection offers an ideal animal model for generating urethral stricture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Higher complication rate with ventral onlay buccal mucosa graft urethroplasty as compared to dorsal placement of the mucosal graft has been mainly attributed to poor ventral support for the graft. We herein describe a technique to augment the thickness of ventral portion of the bulb that forms the base of the ventral graft in an attempt to decrease this complication rate. Materials and Methods: In a pilot study conducted between Jan 2007 and July 2007, 5 patients with proximal bulbar urethral stricture underwent ventral onlay buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty. After the graft was sutured with the mucosal edges of the stricture defect, a continuous 4-0 monofilament poliglecaprone-25 suture was applied taking thin bites through the superficial portion of the bulb. The inverted raw edges of the bulb form a large vascularized bed for the buccal mucosal graft. Approximately 5mm on either side of this suture line, parasagittal incisions were given in partial depth of bulb and medial edges were sutured together over the first suture line. The lateral edges of incision were then sutured as a third layer. It is desired to separate fibrofascial adhesions that adhere lateral aspect of bulb to undersurface of perineal membrane by blunt dissection to permit medial advancement of bulbar tissue. The technique described exploits local bulbar anatomy and successfully moves the lateral bulbar tissue medially below the ventrally placed mucosal graft. Postoperative urethroscopy and pericatheteric urethrograms was done to document healing. A retrograde urethrogram was done at three months follow up. Results: Mean patient age was 38.7 years. Mean follow up period is 10 months. Postoperatively all patients were symptom free. None developed a graft pseudodiverticulum. The described technique of VBA leads to a thicker bulb ventrally to provide a sound, wider and vascularized base for the mucosal graft. Conclusion: With ventral bulbar augmentation following buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty, a thicker ventral bulbar platform results which provides enhanced support to the graft. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To evaluate the clinical relevance of MRI urethrogram in diagnosing stricture urethra and comparing the investigation with the conventional urethrogram. Materials and Methods: Patients with stricture urethra who came to our institution between Jan 2007 and Aug 2007 were investigated with conventional RUG and multiformat MR urethrogram. All the patients underwent urethroscopy under anesthesia and later subjected to definitive endoscopic or open surgical intervention. The accuracy of both these investigations in assessing the stricture length and the advantages of MR urethrogram over RUG were analysed. Conclusion: MR urethrogram is a promising investigation which provides additional data regarding stricture characteristics like the size of the stricture and the extent of spongiofibrosis which cannot be obtained in our RUG, to decide on the treatment approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]