Surgical and Functional Outcomes after Perineal Approach for Repair of Vesico-Urethral Anastomotic Stenosis Following Radical Prostatectomy.

BACKGROUND

Vesicourethral anastomotic stenosis (VUAS) is a rare but complex complication following radical prostatectomy (RP), with an incidence ranging from 0.5% to 33% depending on surgical approach, surgeon experience and prior radiotherapy. Risk factors include intraoperative bleeding, urinary leakage, infection and adjuvant treatments. Despite advances in minimally invasive and robotic surgery, VUAS remains a significant cause of morbidity, often compromising urinary function and quality of life. Our objective is to evaluate the surgical and functional outcomes of perineal vesicourethral re-anastomosis in patients with recurrent VUAS after radical prostatectomy.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 12 patients with recurrent VUAS treated between 2017 and 2024 by a single surgeon, with a minimum follow-up period of 6 months. All had at least one failed endoscopic treatment and preoperative incontinence. Anatomic success was assessed by urethrogram or urethroscopy. Descriptive analysis was conducted on demographic, surgical and outcome data.

RESULTS

The mean patient age was 71 years, with a median interval of 42-4 months (interquartile range (IQR) 9.5-86.1) from RP to stenosis diagnosis. Minor postoperative complications (Clavien I-II) occurred in three patients. Anatomical success, defined as the atraumatic passage of a 16 Fr cystoscope and/or absence of radiological stenosis, was achieved in 83.3% of cases with a mean follow-up of 39.5 months (standard deviation (SD) 24.7). At follow-up, urinary incontinence persisted in the majority of patients, and seven underwent artificial urinary sphincter implantation with satisfactory functional outcomes. One patient developed a urosymphyseal fistula complicated with pubic osteitis, ultimately requiring cystectomy and pubectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

Perineal vesicourethral re-anastomosis represents an effective salvage strategy for recurrent VUAS after RP, providing high rates of urethral patency. However, it carries a substantial risk of postoperative incontinence, frequently necessitating subsequent continence surgery. Management should be centralised in reconstructive referral centres to optimise anatomical and functional outcomes.