Independent risk factors for failure after anterior urethroplasty: a multivariate analysis on prospective data

To identify independent risk factors for urethroplasty failure in a prospective dataset.

Since 2008, data of all male patients undergoing urethroplasty at Ghent University Hospital have been prospectively recorded and maintained. This analysis excluded: posterior strictures, strictures of the perineostomy, urethral malignancy-related strictures, age < 18 years and follow-up < 1 year. Postoperatively, a voiding cysto-urethrography (VCUG) was performed after 2 weeks and in absence of significant contrast extravasation, the transurethral catheter was removed. Patients were followed after 3 m, 12 m and annually thereafter. Failure was defined as stricture recurrence requiring additional urethral intervention(s). Uni- and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed on the entire patient cohort and for one-stage urethroplasty (OSU) at specific locations.

In total, 474 patients were included. Median follow-up was 62 m (IQR 35-91). Significant extravasation was present in 6.9%. Bulbar stricture location was identified as independent protective factor for urethroplasty failure (HR 0.44; p = 0.046) and significant extravasation at first VCUG was identified as independent risk factor for urethroplasty failure (HR 2.86; p = 0.005). Cox regression analyses for OSU at specific locations could not identify other risk factors. All but one (89%) of the failures preceded by significant extravasation at first VCUG occurred within 2 years of follow-up whereas 44% of the failures with no or insignificant extravasation at first VCUG occurred after 2 years of follow-up (p = 0.03).

Bulbar stricture location is an independent protective factor for urethroplasty failure. Significant extravasation at first urethrography is an independent risk factor for urethroplasty failure and is associated with earlier stricture recurrence than other failed cases.