Outpatient buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty outcomes are comparable to inpatient procedures

We sought to compare outcomes between inpatient and outpatient buccal mucosal graft (BMG) urethroplasty among a large tertiary referral center series.

A retrospective review of consecutive patients who underwent BMG urethroplasty between 2007 and 2018 was performed, including only first stage and one stage graft procedures. Patients were divided into inpatient and outpatient groups. Demographic and outcome data were collected and analyzed, with success defined as no need for further endoscopic or open reoperative management.

Of 143 patients undergoing BMG urethroplasty during the study period, 87 cases (60.8%) were performed on an inpatient basis, and 56 (39.2%) on an outpatient basis. Patient characteristics such as age, BMI, prior endoscopic procedures and co-morbid factors were similar between inpatient and outpatient groups. Perioperative characteristics such as estimated blood loss were also similar between groups, but the inpatient cohort had a longer operative time (157.6 vs. 123.1 min, P<0.0001). Operative success was comparable in the two groups (74.7% inpatient vs. 76.8% outpatient, P=0.7) as were rates of complications (29.9% inpatient vs. 26.8% outpatient, P=0.07).

BMG urethroplasty can be safely performed in an ambulatory setting without increased complications or compromised outcomes.