Use of free grafts in urethral stricture reconstruction.

PURPOSE

The indications, contraindications and results of free graft urethroplasty are determined.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective review was done of 40 consecutive patients who underwent free graft urethroplasty with penile and preputial skin, buccal mucosa and bladder epithelium.

RESULTS

Of the 35 patients in whom adequate followup data were available the outcome was successful in 30 (86%). Success was unrelated to donor site, prior intervention or cause of stricture. Failure was attributed to placement of grafts onto the penile urethra and patient age.

CONCLUSIONS

For strictures in the bulbar urethra the success rate of free grafts was high. Failures occurred in patients in whom full thickness skin grafts were extended far onto the penile urethra.