[Urethral reconstruction by pedicled labial flap in the treatment of extensive urethral lesions after obstetrical injury. Apropos of 34 cases].

Reported here is our experience with a new procedure using a pedicled labial flap for urethral reconstruction in patients treated for extensive urethral damage after obstetrical injury. From January 1992 to January 1996, 31 cases of urethral damage in African female patients, with an average age of 18-years-old were treated by pedicled labial urethroplasty. This procedure was done by using a pedicled flap obtained from the major labia. The flap was then introduced as in a tunnel beneath the vaginal epithelium reaching the damaged urethra. A variety of techniques were used: the patch to lengthen sufficiency (13 cases), or the tubularized flap following complete reconstruction of the urethra (21 cases). Good quality urine continence was obtained by using the suburethral Martius' sling procedure. In 6 cases, we combined the treatment with a colposuspension procedure. The average follow-up is 14 months (ranging from 6 to 37 months). Recovery of normal micturition with absence of urinary leak was obtained in 21/30 cases (70%). While 5 moderate failures occurred, 4 cases were considered complete failures. In view of the high success rate, the authors consider that the one-stage procedure by the use of a pedicled labial flap is a choice treatment and highly suitable procedure for the management of extensive urethral cervical damage after obstetrical injury.