Prostatic artery embolization for bladder outlet obstruction in the setting of prior posterior urethroplasty

This case presents a patient with a remote history of complex posterior urethral repair related to a prior motorcycle accident who presented to the urology clinic in urinary retention with associated lower urinary tract symptoms. Due to his altered anatomy, traditional outlet procedures were deferred due to significant reported risks of post treatment urinary incontinence. Decision was made to proceed with prostatic artery embolization, and at follow up he reported resolution of his urinary retention and significant symptomatic improvement in his voiding without development of urinary incontinence.

Erectile and Ejaculatory Dysfunction After Urethroplasty

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW

The goal of this paper was to evaluate the impact on erectile and ejaculatory function after anterior and posterior urethroplasty.

RECENT FINDINGS

With a rise in the use of urethroplasty, its impact on sexual function has come into question. For anterior urethroplasties, some degree of erectile dysfunction is common, but this tends to be transient, with most patients having a resolution of any de novo dysfunction by 12 months. Patients with posterior urethral strictures have a very high rate of erectile dysfunction prior to surgery and may show improvement after urethroplasty. Ejaculatory function tends to improve in patients due to alleviation of obstruction while some patients notice degradation in force of ejaculation. While urethroplasty has a minimal permanent effect on sexual function for most patients, there are some patients who notice improvement and others worsening. Patients should be counseled on these risks prior to urethroplasty.

Multicenter analysis of posterior urethroplasty complexity and outcomes following pelvic fracture urethral injury

PURPOSE

To analyze outcomes of posterior urethroplasty following pelvic fracture urethral injuries (PFUI) and to determine risk factors for surgical complexity and success.

METHODS

Patients who underwent posterior urethroplasty following PFUI were identified in the Trauma and Urologic Reconstructive Network of Surgeons (TURNS) database. Demographics, injury patterns, management strategies, and prior interventions were evaluated. Risk factors for surgical failure and the impact of ancillary urethral lengthening maneuvers (corporal splitting, pubectomy and supracrural rerouting) were evaluated.

RESULTS

Of the 436 posterior urethroplasties identified, 122 were following PFUI. 83 (68%) patients were acutely managed with suprapubic tubes, while 39 (32%) underwent early endoscopic realignment. 16 (13%) patients underwent pelvic artery embolization in the acute setting. 116 cases (95%) were completed via a perineal approach, while 6 (5%) were performed via an abdominoperineal approach. The need for one or more ancillary maneuvers to gain urethral length occurred in 4 (36%) patients. Of these, 44 (36%) received corporal splitting, 16 (13%) partial or complete pubectomy, and 2 (2%) supracrural rerouting. Younger patients, those with longer distraction defects, and those with a history of angioembolization were more likely to require ancillary maneuvers. 111 patients (91%) did not require repeat intervention during follow-up. Angioembolization (p = 0.03) and longer distraction defects (p = 0.01) were associated with failure.

CONCLUSIONS

Posterior urethroplasty provides excellent success rates for patients following PFUI. Pelvic angioembolization and increased defect length are associated with increased surgical complexity and risk of failure. Surgeons should be prepared to implement ancillary maneuvers when indicated to achieve a tension-free anastomosis.

Traumatic lesions of the posterior urethra

INTRODUCTION

The posterior urethral lesions are associated with pelvis fractures in 5-10% of cases. The posterior urethra is attached to the pelvis bone by puboprostatic ligaments and the perineal membrane, which explains why disruption of the pelvic ring can injure the urethra at this level.

OBJECTIVES

To identify suspected cases of posterior urethral trauma and to perform the diagnosis and its immediate or deferred management.

ACQUISITION OF EVIDENCE

Search in PubMed of articles related to traumatic posterior urethral lesions, written in English or Spanish. We reviewed the relevant publications including literature reviews and chapters from books related to the topic.

SYNTHESIS OF THE EVIDENCE

With patients with pelvis fractures, we must always rule out posterior urethral lesions. The diagnostic examination of choice is retrograde urethrography, which, along with the severity of the condition, will determine the management in the acute phase and whether the treatment will be performed immediately or deferred. Early diagnosis and proper acute management decrease the associated complications, such as strictures, urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the classical association between posterior urethral lesions and pelvic fractures, the management of those lesions (whether immediate or deferred) remains controversial. Thanks to the growing interest in urethral disease, there are an increasing number of studies that help us achieve better management of these lesions.

Unsuccessful outcomes after posterior urethroplasty

Posterior urethroplasty is the most common strategy for the treatment of post-traumatic urethral injuries. Especially in younger patients, post-traumatic injuries are a common reason for urethral strictures caused by road traffic accidents, with pelvic fracture or direct trauma to the perineum. In many cases early endoscopic realignment is the first attempt to restore the junction between proximal and distal urethra, but in some cases primary realignment is not possible or not enough to treat the urethral injury. In these cases suprapubic cystostomy alone and delayed repair by stricture excision and posterior urethroplasty is an alternative procedure to minimise the risk of stricture recurrence.

The mechanism of continence after posterior urethroplasty

The standard of care after a pelvic fracture urethral injury is a repair via a one-stage anastomotic posterior urethroplasty using a step-wise perineal approach. The initial injury, immediate postoperative management, and surgical repair can all affect urinary continence in these patients. Proximal continence mechanisms, particularly the bladder neck, are particularly important in maintaining urinary continence in these patients. Patients with bladder neck dysfunction should be counselled about the greater risk of urinary incontinence.

Tips for successful open surgical reconstruction of posterior urethral disruption injuries

This article provides an overview of the open surgical management of posterior urethral disruption injuries. The discussion includes the evaluation of the patient before surgery with a focus on urethral imaging and details of posterior urethroplasty surgical technique.