Neo-vaginal Advancement Flaps in the Treatment of Urethral Strictures in Transwomen.

OBJECTIVES

To explore the use of neo-vaginal advancement flaps in the treatment of distal urethral strictures with description of the techniques and preliminary results in transwomen.

METHODS

Five patients were treated. A 7-flap was used in 2 patients and an inverted U-flap in 3 patients. In 1 patient with an inverted U-flap, the urethra was further enlarged using buccal mucosa because of Lichen Sclerosus. Three out of 5 patients already underwent previous interventions.

RESULTS

Median patient age was 67 years (range: 41-74) and median stricture length was 2.0 cm (range: 1.5-2.0). Median operation time was 41 minutes (range: 38-70). One low-grade complication (bladder spasms) was reported. No patient suffered a recurrence after a median follow-up of 37 months (range: 6-97). All patients were satisfied with the result.

CONCLUSION

Neo-vaginal advancement flaps can be safely used in transwomen with distal urethral strictures. The success rate and patient's satisfaction are encouraging.