The authors have no acknowledgments.

All patients provided a signed written informed consent and the approval of the local Ethics Committee (EC/2014/0438) was obtained.
NOTE: The inclusion criteria for the presented protocol were: male; age &#8805;18 years; signed written informed consent; fit for operation; isolated urethral stricture; urethral stricture &#8804;3 cm; urethral stricture only at the bulbar or membranous site. The exclusion criteria were: female; transgender; age &#60;18 years; absence of signed wr...

<ol>
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A., Virasoro, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+Technique+of+Vessel+Sparing+Excision+and+Primary+Anastomosis+for+Proximal+Bulbous+Urethral+Reconstruction.">The Technique of Vessel Sparing Excision and Primary Anastomosis for Proximal Bulbous Urethral Reconstruction.</a> The Journal of Urology. 177 (5), 1799-1802 (2007).</li><li>Gur, U., Jordan, G. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Vessel-sparing+excision+and+primary+anastomosis+(for+proximal+bulbar+urethral+strictures).">Vessel-sparing excision and primary anastomosis (for proximal bulbar urethral strictures).</a> BJU International. 101 (9), 1183-1195 (2008).</li><li>Andrich, D. E., Mundy, A. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Non-transecting+anastomotic+bulbar+urethroplasty:+a+preliminary+report.">Non-transecting anastomotic bulbar urethroplasty: a preliminary report.</a> BJU International. 109 (7), 1090-1094 (2012).</li><li>Lumen, N., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Nontransecting+Anastomotic+Repair+in+Urethral+Reconstruction:+Surgical+and+Functional+Outcomes.">Nontransecting Anastomotic Repair in Urethral Reconstruction: Surgical and Functional Outcomes.</a> The Journal of Urology. 196 (6), 1679-1684 (2016).</li><li>Virasoro, R., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=International+multi-institutional+experience+with+the+vessel-sparing+technique+to+reconstruct+the+proximal+bulbar+urethra:+mid-term+results.">International multi-institutional experience with the vessel-sparing technique to reconstruct the proximal bulbar urethra: mid-term results.</a> World Journal of Urology. 33 (12), 2153-2157 (2015).</li><li>Bugeja, S., Andrich, D. E., Mundy, A. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Non-transecting+bulbar+urethroplasty.">Non-transecting bulbar urethroplasty.</a> Translational Andrology and Urology. 4 (1), 41-50 (2015).</li><li>Anderson, K. M., Blakely, S. A., O'Donnell, C. I., Nikolavsky, D., Flynn, B. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Primary+non-transecting+bulbar+urethroplasty+long-term+success+rates+are+similar+to+transecting+urethroplasty.">Primary non-transecting bulbar urethroplasty long-term success rates are similar to transecting urethroplasty.</a> International Urology and Nephrology. 49 (1), 83-88 (2017).</li><li>Summerton, D. J., Kitrey, N. 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Urethral stricture repair by vessel-sparing excision and primary anastomosis was initially performed at Ghent University Hospital in 2010. Thereafter, it became a standard of practice in the hospital&#39;s management of patients with isolated short bulbar or posterior urethral strictures. As the bulb remains attached to the perineal body, access to the posterior urethra and the resection of the fibrotic tissue at that site can be compromised. A distortion of the pubic rami due to a pelvic fracture might further impede ac...

Urethroplasty is considered the standard treatment for urethral strictures as it provides excellent long-term success rates1,2. A numerous amount of surgical techniques has been described, challenging the reconstructive urologist to choose the best approach, considering various stricture modalities such as the number of strictures, the stricture length, the stricture location, the etiology, comorbidities, and previous urethral interventions. For isolated short bulbar urethral strictures, the International Consultation on Urologic Diseases (ICUD) recommends urethroplasty by excision and primary anastomosis (EPA) associated with a composite success rate of 93.8%3,4.
Urethroplasty by EPA embodies an approach in which the entire diseased segment of the urethra is removed and replaced by healthy adjacent urethra without the need for grafts or flaps to bridge the gap. Traditionally, this approach included the full thickness transection of the corpus spongiosum at the level of the stricture5. However, as EPA only requires the excision of the narrowed segment and the surrounding spongiofibrosis, a full thickness transection of the corpus spongiosum, and the dual urethral blood supply within it, is usually unnecessary. Given this background, Jordan et al. introduced the idea of a vessel-sparing approach in 2007, offering a non-transecting alternative to the classic transecting EPA (tEPA)6,7. This vessel-sparing EPA (vsEPA) has been uprising ever since and several centers have&#8212;though slightly modified&#8212;implemented this technique in their surgical repertoire8,9,10,11,12.
The vessel-sparing technique aims to reduce surgical trauma, especially to the dual arterial blood supply of the urethra embedded in the corpus spongiosum. The preservation of the bulbar arteries potentially reduces the risk of postoperative erectile dysfunction or glans ischemia. Furthermore, it could be beneficial for subsequent urethral interventions such as redo urethroplasty using a free graft, in which a well-vascularized graft bed is imperative8,9. Nevertheless, these potential benefits are only assumptions as prospective studies comparing the functional outcome of both techniques with validated questionnaires are currently lacking.
As important as the functional outcome is, vsEPA should at least be able to provide similar surgical outcomes as tEPA. Promising short-term results have been published and are in line with the success rates reported by the ICUD, but a direct comparison between both techniques has, so far, not been performed3,4,8,9,10,11,12.
Pelvic fracture-related urethral injuries are associated with scar tissue formation and a subsequent urethral stricture or complete obliteration of the membranous urethra. Posterior strictures might also develop after surgery or irradiation to the prostate13. For these strictures, urethroplasty with the excision of the scar tissue and bulbo-prostatic anastomosis is recommended as well14. Traditionally, the bulbar arteries were ligated during this procedure if not already obliterated due to the pelvic fracture. To avoid this, a vessel-sparing variant has been introduced and reported as well15,16.
The aim of this paper is to give an elaborate, step-by-step overview of how to manage patients with isolated short bulbar or posterior urethral strictures with vsEPA. The main scope is to outline and visualize the surgical technique and to report the representative surgical outcome. An evaluation of the functional outcome parameters is beyond the scope of this paper.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="790">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:299px;">iso-Betadine Dermicum 125 ml (1)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Meda Pharma</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">A-472825</td>
			<td style="width:159px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:299px;">Sterile gown (3)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">According to surgeon&#39;s preference</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">NA</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:299px;">Sterile gloves (3 pairs)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">According to surgeon&#39;s preference</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">NA</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:299px;">Sterile drapes (4)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Medline</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">AGBBA073A</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:299px;">Bard-Parker scalpel number 3 (1)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Zepf Medical Instruments</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">06-1003-00</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:299px;">Bard-Parker scalpel number 4 (1)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">KLS Martin Group</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">10-100-04</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:299px;">Scalpel blade number 15 (1)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Swann-Morton</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">0205</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:299px;">Scalpel blade number 24 (1)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Swann-Morton</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">0211</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:299px;">Surgical forceps 14 cm (2)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">KLS Martin Group</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">12-301-14</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:299px;">Monopolar electrocauter Valleylab&#160; (1)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Medtronic</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">E2100</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:299px;">Electrocauter blade 15 cm (1)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Comepa</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">CO 150i</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:299px;">Debakey forceps 20 cm (2)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">D&#252;fner</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">06232-20</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:299px;">3-layered compress 30 x 45 cm (5)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">M&#246;lnlycke Health Care</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">175260</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:299px;">Surgical compress 10 x 10 cm (10)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Hartmann</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">232088</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:299px;">Mayo-Hegar needle driver 18 cm (1)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Zepf Medical Instruments</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">24-1804-18</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:299px;">Mayo-Hegar needle driver 25 cm (1)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Zepf Medical Instruments</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">24-1804-25</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:299px;">Jones scissor 18 cm (1)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">D&#252;fner</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">04940-18</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:299px;">Mayo-Stille scissor 17 cm (1)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Zepf Medical Instruments</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">08-1700-17</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;">Lone Star retractor (1)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">CooperSurgical, Trumbull, CT, USA</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">72403867</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:299px;">Lone Star elastic stays (4)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">CooperSurgical, Trumbull, CT, USA</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">3311-1G</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:299px;">Vessel loop 45 cm (1)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Braun</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">1095137</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:299px;">Halsted-Mosquito (6)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">KLS Martin Group</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">13-317-21</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:299px;">20Fr silicone urethral catheter (1)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Yushin Medical Co.</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">1037B-20</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:299px;">3Fr ureteral catheter (1)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Teleflex</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">223602</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:299px;">20Fr metal sound (1)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Custom made</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">NA</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:299px;">Vicryl 4-0 wire (6)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Ethicon</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">V734D</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:299px;">Vicryl 3-0 wire (2)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Ethicon</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">VCP316H</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:299px;">Vicryl Rapide 3-0&#160; wire (1)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Ethicon</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">VF2260</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:299px;">10Fr Drain needle (1)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Vygon</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">658.10</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:299px;">10Fr Suction drain (1)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Oriplast</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">203102</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:299px;">Vacuum flask 400 ml (1)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Oriplast</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">213215AL/QL</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:299px;">Zetuvit 10 x 20 cm (1)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Hartmann</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">413771</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

vessel-sparing excision and primary anastomosis

Urethroplasty is considered to be the standard treatment for urethral strictures since it provides excellent long-term success rates. For isolated short bulbar or posterior urethral strictures, urethroplasty by excision and primary anastomosis (EPA) is recommended. As EPA only requires the excision of the narrowed segment and the surrounding spongiofibrosis, a full-thickness transection of the corpus spongiosum, as performed in the traditional transecting EPA (tEPA), is usually unnecessary. Jordan et al. introduced the idea of a vessel-sparing approach in 2007, aiming to reduce surgical trauma, especially to the dual arterial blood supply of the urethra, and, thus, potentially reducing the risk of postoperative erectile dysfunction or glans ischemia. This approach could also be beneficial for subsequent urethral interventions such as redo urethroplasty using a free graft, in which a well-vascularized graft bed is imperative. Nevertheless, these potential benefits are only assumptions as prospective studies comparing the functional outcome of both techniques with validated questionnaires are currently lacking. Moreover, vessel-sparing EPA (vsEPA) should at least be able to provide similar surgical outcomes as tEPA. The aim of this paper is to give an elaborate, step-by-step overview of how to manage patients with isolated short bulbar or posterior urethral strictures with vsEPA. The main objective of this manuscript is to outline the surgical technique and to report the representative surgical outcome. A total of 117 patients were managed according to the described protocol. The analysis was performed on the entire patient cohort and on the bulbar (n = 91) and posterior (n = 26) vsEPA group separately. Success rates were 93.4% and 88.5% for the bulbar and posterior vsEPA, respectively. To conclude, vsEPA, as outlined in the protocol, provides excellent success rates with low complication rates for isolated short bulbar and posterior urethral strictures.

Between 2011 and 2017, a total of 117 patients with isolated short bulbar (n = 91) or posterior (n = 26) urethral strictures were treated with vsEPA at Ghent University Hospital. The baseline characteristics are displayed in Table 1. The median follow-up was 35 and 45 months for bulbar and posterior strictures, respectively. The strictures were longer in the patients who underwent posterior vsEPA and, accordingly, the number of patients with a calculated...

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Vessel-sparing Excision and Primary Anastomosis

Here, we present an elaborate and efficient protocol to treat isolated short bulbar or posterior urethral strictures with vessel-sparing excision and primary anastomosis.

Urethroplasty is considered to be the standard treatment for urethral strictures since it provides excellent long-term success rates. For isolated short ...

This vessel-sparing technique aims to reduce surgical trauma during urethroplasty by excision and primary anastomosis. Preserving the bulbar arteries could reduce the risk of post-operative erectile dysfunction and glans ischemia. Furthermore, it can be beneficial for further urethral interventions requiring a well-sustained avascularization.After confirming the presence of a stricture by retrograde and/or antegrade urethrography, adjust the patient on the operating table in the supine position, in a modified lithotomy position with the knees and hips flexed 60 to 90 degrees, with 45 degrees of abduction, and the calves supported in leg holders. Disinfect the exposed perineum and external genitals with an iodine-based antiseptic scrub, and place sterile drapes around the operating field, including the penis and scrotum, without the anus. To access the bulbar urethra, use a number 24 scalpel blade to make a midline paraniel skin incision, and dissect the sub-cutaneous fat tissue through Colles Fascia with a monopolar electrocautery, until the bulbospongiosus muscle is encountered, cauterizing any bleeding vessels as necessary.Incise the bulbospongiosus muscle at the midline, and use Jones scissors to dissect the muscle away from the underlying corpus spongiosum. Then, fix the bulbospongiosus muscle at the perineal skin with four silk 2-0 stay sutures. Apply a self-retaining retractor, and attach elastic stay hooks to the bulbospongiosus muscle with sufficient traction, securing the elastics to one of the slots of the retractor.Next, dissect the bulbar urethra in a circumferential manner, starting at the mid bulbar region, to allow further dorsal dissection of the urethra and a detachment of the dorsal ducts fascia from the tunica albuginea of the corpora cavernosa. Encircle the exposed bulbar urethra with a vessel loop, and secure the loop with a kocher clamp to facilitate manipulation. Continue the dorsal dissection and detachment in the distal direction toward the penoscrotal angle using sharp scissors, and closely following the avascular surgical plane of Buck's fascia.Then continue the dorsal dissection proximally toward the urogenital diaphram, without dissecting the bulb of the corpus spongiosum at the anal side, and leaving the bulbar arteries in tact. To open the stricture, introduce a 20 French silicone urethral catheter, or a 20 French metal sound into the meatus urethri, and pass it up toward the distal extent of the urethral stricture. At this level, use a number 24 scalpel blade to open the urethra dorsali in a longitudinal manner, and place one silk 3-0 stay suture on each side of the opened urethra, to facilitate exposure of the urethral lumen.Insert a three French urethral catheter through the urethra and proximally up through the scrictured area, opening the stricture along the catheter until health urethral tissue is encountered. Introduce a 20 French metal sound up toward the bladder to evaluate the patency and caliber of the proximal urethra, and place one silk 3-0 stay suture on each side of the opened proximal urethra. Then resect the stricture, as well as the surrounding spongiofibrosis, until healthy spongeous is encountered ventrally, and grasp the urethral mucosa with a debakey forceps with a large grip.It is very important to fully resect the urethral stricture and the surrounding spongiofibrosis in order to obtain two well-vascularized urethral ends. Using interrupted 4-0 sutures, licate the ventral ends of the proximal and distal urethra from the inside of the urethral lumen for creation of the ventral urethra plate. Dorsally spatulate the healthy urethral edges for about one centimeter, and remove the stay sutures.Then use interrupted 4-0 sutures to close the dorsal edges of the urethral ends transversely, and to close the corpus spongiosum over the urethra. To prevent urethroplasty failure, it is of utmost importance to complete the anastomosis without any tension. Remove the retractor, and cut the stay sutures with mayo still scissors.Then, perforate the skin of the right inguinal region with the 10 French drain needle. Leaving the silicone catheter in place, place a 10 French suction drain between the corpus spongiosum and the bulbospongiosus muscle. Use a 3-0 running suture to close the bulbospongiosus muscle over the underlying urethra and corpus spongiosum.Then, suture Colles fascia in a running manner, and suture the skin with interrupted Donati stitches, both using 3-0 sutures. Use a silk 2-0 suture to fix the suction drain at the groin. Then, apply a pararenal compressive dressing.Between 2011 and 2017, a total of 117 patients with isolated short bulbar or posterior urethral strictures were treated with vessel-sparing excision and primary anastomosis at Ghent University Hospital, with a median followup time of 35 and 45 months for bulbar and posterior strictures, respectively. The complication rate was equally low in both groups, and mainly consisted of low-grade events, such as wound dehiscence, wound infection, urinary infection, bladder spasms, and hematoma. Overall, the estimated failure-free survival was 95.3%95.3%and 87%at one, two, and five years, respectively, for the bulbar vessel-sparing excision and primary anastomosis group, and 88.3%over the same monitoring periods for the posterior vessel-sparing excision and primary anastomosis group.To conclude, vessel-sparing excision and primary anastomosis provides excellent success rates with low complication rates for isolated, short bulbar and posterior urethral strictures.

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11.2K Aufrufe.  Ghent University Hospital. Diese gefäßsparende Technik zielt darauf ab, chirurgische Traumata während der Urethroplastik durch Exzision und primäre Anastomose zu reduzieren. Die Erhaltung der Bulbararterien könnte das Risiko von postoperativen erektilen Dysfunktion und Eichel Ischämie reduzieren. Darüber hinaus kann es vorteilhaft für weitere Harnröhreninterventionen sein, die eine gut anhaltende Avaskularisation erfordern.Nach Bestätigung des Vorhandenseins einer Strenge durch retrograde und/oder ante...