Urethroplasty for Strictures After Phallic Reconstruction: A Single-Institution Experience

BackgroundTreatment recommendations for strictures after phalloplasty are lacking.ObjectiveOur aim was to evaluate the outcome of urethroplasty for strictures after phalloplasty and to provide treatment recommendations based on this experience.Design, setting, and participantsOne hundred and eighteen urethroplasties were performed in 79 patients. Mean patient age was 37.6 yr. Mean follow-up was 39 mo.InterventionDifferent types of urethroplasty were used: meatotomy, Heineke-Mikulicz principle (HMP), excision and primary anastomosis (EPA), free graft urethroplasty (FGU), pedicled flap urethroplasty (PFU), two-stage urethroplasty (TSU), and perineostomy followed by urethral reconstruction (PUR).MeasurementsStricture recurrence was defined as the need for additional instrumentation or surgery.Results and limitationsMean stricture length was 3.6 cm. Stricture location was at the meatus, phallic urethra, anastomosis, fixed part, and different locations in 18, 28, 48, 15, and 9 urethroplasties, respectively. Stricture recurrence was observed in 44 urethroplasties (41.12%). Stricture recurrence rate for meatotomy, HMP, EPA, FGU, PFU, TSU, and PUR was 25%, 42.11%, 42.86%, 50%, 40%, 30.3%, and 61.9%, respectively.ConclusionsThe main stricture location after phalloplasty is the anastomosis between the phallic and the fixed part. Urethroplasty for strictures after phalloplasty is associated with a relatively high recurrence rate.Trial registrationEC UZG 2007/434.