Evolution and innovation in urethroplasty: a comprehensive narrative review of graft types and surgical techniques

Urethroplasty has evolved over last decades, with significant improvements in surgical techniques and graft types. In this narrative review, we aimed to explore the evolution of urethroplasty techniques for bulbar urethral strictures. To do this, the review is structured into three main sections: the Historical Background section highlights the seminal contribution from early pioneers to contemporary techniques, which re-gained momentum in reconstructive urology. Starting with the early techniques in the 19th and 20th centuries, we focused on the pioneering innovations of the 1990s, ultimately leading to the most recent tissue-preserving techniques. The second part presents a literature review comparing different graft types and critically evaluating surgical outcomes from multiple original articles and meta-analysis. Specifically, similar success rates were reported for oral and preputial grafts for the treatment of anterior urethral strictures, while long-term outcomes suggest graft deterioration over time. Furthermore, data on optimal surgical techniques remain limited. Lastly, Future Perspectives address ongoing innovations, including new graft and flap combinations for complex strictures, emphasizing the continuous refinement of less invasive, tissue-preserving techniques.