Bulbar urethroplasty with dorsal onlay buccal mucosal graft and fibrin glue

Eur Urol 2006; 50: 467-474.
 

Objectives: We describe a new surgical technique with the use of fibrin glue for bulbar urethra reconstruction using a dorsal buccal mucosal onlay graft.

Methods: Six patients with a mean age of 43 yr underwent bulbar urethroplasty with dorsal onlay buccal mucosal graft and fibrin glue. The urethra was mobilised from the corpora cavernosa and opened along its dorsal surface. The buccal mucosal graft was applied on the corpora cavernosa using 2ml of fibrin glue. Two interrupted polyglactin 5-0 sutures were used to fix the apices of the graft to the underlying albuginea of the corpora cavernosa. The urethra was rotated back to cover the graft and an adjunctive fibrin glue was injected over the urethra.

Results: The mean operative time was 100min (range, 90-120min). No intraoperative or postoperative complications were observed. Voiding cystourethrography was performed when the catheter was removed 2 wk after surgery. Urine culture, uroflowmetry, and urethrography were repeated after 6 and 12 mo and annually thereafter. Mean follow-up was 16 mo (range, 12-24 mo). No restrictures at the anastomotic sites were demonstrated in any of the patients 6 and 12 mo after surgery.

Conclusions: The use of fibrin glue represents a slight but significant step toward perfecting the surgical technique of bulbar urethral reconstruction.