Bilateral anastomosis, buccal mucosal or pedicled skin flaps are commonly used urethroplasty surgical methods today.
Master, Doctor Cao Vinh Duy, Department of Urology, Center for Urology - Nephrology - Andrology, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, said that urethroplasty is a method to overcome the condition of obstruction and narrowing of the urethra due to scar tissue formed by trauma, infection, congenital or previous urethral surgery. The commonly used urethroplasty methods today include:
End-to-end anastomosis: This is a urethroplasty technique often indicated for cases of urethral stricture less than 2 cm. The surgeon performs open surgery, dissects the narrowed area, removes the narrowed section and reconnects the two ends of the urethra. After surgery, the patient needs to wear a catheter for about 2-3 weeks to allow the surgical wound to heal.
Using oral or cheek mucosa : For urethral segments longer than 2 cm, end-to-end anastomosis surgery is not an option because it can shorten the patient's urethra. Instead, the doctor grafts a portion of oral or cheek mucosa with a length corresponding to the narrow segment.
Using pedicled skin flaps: This method is indicated in cases of long and complex urethral strictures. The skin flap often used is the patient's own foreskin. The doctor chooses a part of the skin with many blood vessels, 10-15 cm long depending on the narrowed section. Then, the doctor cuts the urethra into a trough shape and grafts the skin flap.
Depending on the length, location, and degree of narrowing, the doctor will choose the appropriate urethroplasty surgery method. For complex cases, the doctor may combine different plastic surgery techniques.
Doctor Vinh Duy (right) performs urethral reconstruction surgery for a patient. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital
"Urethroplasty is the gold standard in treating urethral strictures," said Dr. Vinh Duy, explaining that the effectiveness of these methods in completely removing the stricture can be over 90%.
However, this is one of the most complex plastic surgeries of the urinary system, requiring surgeons to have skills and practical experience. Doctors who perform the technique correctly and meticulously help minimize the risk of recurrence. After surgery, patients need to have regular check-ups to assess wound recovery, urinary function and the risk of stenosis recurrence.
Doctor Vinh Duy said that symptoms such as difficulty urinating, frequent urination, painful urination, weak urine stream, reduced urine volume, dark urine, blood in urine, lower abdominal pain, urethral discharge, difficulty ejaculating... are warning signs of urethral stricture that need attention. Patients need to quickly go to the hospital for examination and appropriate and effective treatment to avoid long-term dangerous complications such as urinary tract infections, hydronephrosis, and impaired kidney function.
Thang Vu
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