Bulbar urethroplasty: transecting vs. nontransecting techniques.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To transect or not to transect the bulbar urethra in nontraumatic urethral strictures still remains an issue that is open to debate. Herewith, we evaluate and compare the results of these two different options in the treatment of bulbar urethral strictures.

RECENT FINDINGS: In 404 patients, bulbar urethroplasty using transecting techniques (end-to-end anastomosis and augmented anastomotic repair) provided a success rate ranging from 90 to 98.6%. In 522 patients, bulbar urethroplasty using nontransecting techniques (nontransecting anastomotic urethroplasty and simple oral grafting techniques) provided approximately the same success rate, ranging from 81.8 to 100%.

SUMMARY: Future studies, including more homogenous series of patients and subjective evaluation of urinary and sexual complications after repair, are necessary to surely establish the gold standard of treatment for nontraumatic strictures located in the proximal bulbar urethra.