Urethral reconstruction using colonic mucosa graft for complex strictures

We investigated the long-term outcome of urethral reconstruction using colonic mucosa grafts for long segment, complex urethral strictures. Another aim was to identify clinical factors impacting long-term outcomes.

We retrospectively reviewed the records of 36 consecutive patients with a mean age of 39.8 years (range 17 to 70) who underwent colonic mucosal graft urethroplasty for long segment, complex urethral stricture from October 2000 to November 2006. Patients were evaluated postoperatively at scheduled office visits at our institution and/or by telephone interview. Successful repair was defined as normal voiding without any postoperative procedure such as dilation.

Urethral reconstruction with done with colonic mucosa grafts 10 to 20 cm long (mean 15.1). One patient was lost to followup. Mean followup in the remaining cases was 53.6 months (range 26 to 94). Outcomes were successful in 30 of 35 patients (85.7%). Complications, specifically meatal stenosis, bulbar or bulbomembranous urethral stenosis and proximal anastomotic site stricture, developed in 5 patients (13.3%).

Colonic mucosa graft urethroplasty is a feasible procedure for complex urethral strictures. The most common complications are meatal stenosis and stenosis at the anastomosis.