Dorsal Onlay Buccal Urethroplasty in the Female is Associated with High Quality of Life Using Validated Lower Urinary Tract Symptom Instruments.

INTRODUCTION

Female urethral stricture is rare and decreases quality of life. Buccal mucosa has become the most popular graft material for male urethroplasty but little is written about females. Rare case reports of buccal mucosa grafting in the female appear in the literature as an alternate method to more commonly performed vaginal flap urethroplasty (Blandy-style flap) or free vaginal mucosa graft urethroplasty. The hypothesis is that dorsal onlay buccal mucosa grafting will improve quality of life scores and provide acceptable recurrence-free rates.

METHODS

We compiled a retrospective case series from 2009 to 2013 to identify female patients treated with dorsal onlay buccal urethroplasty via a suprameatal approach. All patients underwent pelvic exam as well as a supine stress test. Study end points included stricture recurrence verified by cystoscopy, uroflow, post-void residual urine, presence of urinary tract infection, pain, fistula formation, incontinence, and complications at the donor site and the vagina.

RESULTS

Six patients were identified. Mean followup was 18.6 months. No stress incontinence was noted preoperatively and none developed postoperatively. No fistulas were noted. Mean stricture length was 1.2 cm and mean graft length was 2.75 cm. Two stricture recurrences (33%) were noted, requiring dilation. Mean pain score went from 7.2 to 0 on a 10-point Likert scale (p = 0.004). The number of urinary tract infections per year decreased from 4.3 to 0.3 (p = 0.038). Maximum voided velocity increased from 5.6 to 13.1 ml per second (p = 0.003) and mean post-void residual urine decreased from 270 to 34 ml (p = 0.094). No urethral or vaginal complications were reported. Two patients reported donor site morbidity but no clitoral anesthesia or pain was reported.

CONCLUSIONS

Dorsal onlay buccal urethroplasty provided acceptable but not improved cure rates compared with the published failure rates of alternative methods. Patients experienced significant improvements in pain, urinary flow and quality of life. It can be safely considered instead of ventral onlay vaginal flap urethroplasty or serial dilation in females with stricture.