Two‐stage Urethroplasty for Stricture: Results and Technical Considerations

SUMMARY Forty‐four patients who underwent the two‐stage urethroplasty employing the buried skin strip principle are reviewed. Follow‐up extended from one to five years. Urinary drainage was by urethral catheter in all cases. Good results were obtained in 81 per cent. overall, and in 92 per cent. of the last 27 cases. The causes of failure are analysed and the technique necessary to obtain “good” results outlined: Recurrences of stricture are primarily due to incomplete division of the original stricture. Panendoscopy at operation is essential in defining the extent of the stricture. Diverticula are due to improper cutting of the urethral flaps at the second stage and can be avoided if a No. 20 sound is used as a guide. Stitches in the urethra or in the urethral skin flaps are completely unnecessary and probably harmful.