Efficacy of urethral suspension-assisted urethral anastomosis as a treatment for complex long-segment posterior urethral stricture.

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the clinical effects of urethral suspension-assisted urethral anastomosis on complex long-segment posterior urethral stricture and describe the technical aspects of this procedure.

Materials and methods: The clinical data for 24 patients who underwent urethral suspension-assisted urethral anastomosis for complex long-segment posterior urethral stricture between March 2021 and March 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. The surgical procedure comprises the following four steps: creation of an inverted Y-shaped incision in the perineum; mobilization of the urethra up to the penile-scrotal junction followed by dissection and separation of the septum of the corpus cavernosum; separation of the inferior pubic symphysis, excising a portion of the inferior pubic symphysis bone tissue and thoroughly clearing the scar tissue surrounding the proximal urethra; and suturing and suspension of the proximal urethra and surrounding tissues at the 2, 5, 7, and 10 o'clock positions, ensuring complete exposure of the proximal urethral mucosa and tension-free anastomosis between the proximal and distal urethra.

Results: The mean patient age was 46.7 years (range 27-64) and the median urethral stricture length was 5.1 cm. The urethral catheter was removed 4 weeks postoperatively. The median follow-up duration was 13.6 months (4-32). Urinary flow remained unobstructed in 22 patients (91.7%), with an average maximum flow rate of 24.5 ml/s (15.3-36.2). Urethral stricture recurred post-surgery in two patients, one of whom underwent successful repair with the same surgical procedure while the other achieved successful voiding after urethrotomy.

Conclusions: Urethral suspension-assisted urethral anastomosis is an effective treatment for complex long-segment posterior urethral stricture. This technique allows for optimal exposure of the proximal urethral mucosa, reduces the distance between the proximal and distal urethra, simplifies surgical procedures, enables tension-free anastomosis between the proximal and distal urethra, and has a high success rate.