Next Article in Journal
Acute Hemodynamic Changes Induced by Cardiac Contractility Modulation Evaluated Using the NICaS® System: A Pilot Study
Previous Article in Journal
The Effectiveness of an Electronic Decision Support Algorithm to Optimize Recommendations of SGLT2i and GLP-1RA in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes upon Discharge from Internal Medicine Wards
Previous Article in Special Issue
Impact of Intraoperative Opioid Use and a Combined Anesthesia Regimen in Patients Undergoing Radical Prostatectomy for Prostate Cancer in a Single-Center Cohort
 
 
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
Article

Perioperative Outcomes and Trends of Surgical Correction of Male Urethral Strictures: Results from the GRAND Study

Department of Urology, University Hospital of Munich (LMU), Marchioninistraße 15, 81377 Munich, Germany
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
These authors contributed equally to this work.
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(7), 2171; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14072171
Submission received: 28 February 2025 / Revised: 11 March 2025 / Accepted: 20 March 2025 / Published: 22 March 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Clinical Trends and Prospects in Urology Surgery)

Abstract

:
Background: While various techniques for the surgical correction of urethral strictures exist, data on their trends and perioperative outcomes are limited. Methods: Data from the German Nationwide Inpatient Data (GRAND) registry (2005–2023) were used to estimate the trends, baseline characteristics, and perioperative outcomes of the surgical techniques for urethral stricture correction. Results: A total of 500,937 patients underwent surgery. Internal urethrotomy was the most frequently performed procedure (n = 413,095, 82%), followed by urethral dilatation (n = 39,619, 8%), meatoplasty (n = 30,774, 6%), urethroplasty with buccal mucosa (n = 12,351, 2%), urethral excision with primary anastomosis (n = 3428, 0.7%), urethroplasty with preputial skin (n = 1585, 0.3%), and drug-coated balloon dilatation (n = 85, <0.1%). In recent years, internal urethrotomy declined; urethroplasty was relatively stable, and drug-coated balloon dilatation emerged as a promising treatment modality. Internal urethrotomy and urethral dilatation were predominantly performed in older patients (median age of 71 years), while urethroplasty was performed in younger (56 years). Preputial skin urethroplasty had a shorter hospital stay compared to buccal mucosa (−0.4 days, p = 0.02), with no significant differences in transfusion or sepsis rates. Conclusions: Internal urethrotomy remains the most frequently used technique despite declining utilization. Preputial skin urethroplasty presents similar perioperative outcomes compared to buccal mucosa urethroplasty.

1. Introduction

Urethral strictures are a common urological condition characterized by the narrowing of the urethral lumen due to fibrosis and scar tissue formation, leading to variable degrees of urinary obstruction [1]. They can result from multiple etiologies, including iatrogenic injury (e.g., catheterization and endoscopic procedures), trauma, lichen sclerosus, infections, sexually transmitted diseases, and idiopathic causes [2]. The condition predominantly affects older males, with a prevalence of approximately 500 per 100,000 men over the age of 55 years [3]. Urethral strictures occur most frequently in the anterior part and mainly in the bulbar urethra [4]. Urethral strictures can significantly impact patients’ quality of life by causing obstructive urinary tract symptoms, recurrent infections, and, in severe cases, urinary retention [5]. The severity of symptoms often correlates with the degree of luminal narrowing, with most patients becoming symptomatic when the urethral caliber is reduced to less than 10 French [6]. Strictures wider than 10 French are often asymptomatic and discovered incidentally during endourological procedures [7].
The early and appropriate management of urethral strictures is essential to prevent complications and optimize long-term functional outcomes [8]. The available guideline recommendations suggest that patients with symptomatic strictures or patients with strictures less than 10 French should undergo surgical correction [9]. Nevertheless, the choice of the intervention is influenced by multiple factors including stricture length, location, etiology, and previous treatment history [10].
Direct vision internal urethrotomy is the first-line treatment due to its simplicity and accessibility [11]. Visually controlled dilatation of the urethra in an ambulatory setting can also be discussed with the patients, offering a pragmatic, immediately available solution [12]. Drug (paclitaxel)-coated balloon dilatation after standard dilatation has emerged as a viable alternative that is performed in Germany in a hospitalized setting for well-selected patients with recurrent short bulbar strictures [13]. However, the recurrence rates associated with all minimally invasive techniques lead to the application of more complicated treatment modalities, which offer more durable outcomes, such as free graft urethroplasty with buccal mucosa or preputial skin [14]. Alternatively, urethral excision with primary anastomosis can be discussed for selected short bulbar strictures [15].
Even though multiple techniques for the surgical management of urethral strictures exist, there are limited comprehensive data assessing their trends, perioperative outcomes, and evolving practices [16]. In this context, we aimed to perform an analysis of the perioperative outcomes and trends in the surgical correction of urethral strictures over the last two decades, aiming to provide valuable insights into the evolving landscape of stricture management and inform clinical decision-making to optimize patient care.

2. Methods

2.1. Data Source: German Nationwide Inpatient Data (GRAND)

This study utilized data from the German Nationwide Inpatient Data registry, maintained by the Federal Bureau of Statistics in Wiesbaden, Germany. The registry encompasses data on all hospitalizations in Germany between 2005 and 2023, excluding military, psychiatric, and forensic cases. Access to the data was obtained with the required approvals (LMU-4710-2022). The dataset comprises anonymized data stored at the Research Data Center of the Federal Bureau of Statistics. Our research team analyzed only aggregated summary results provided by the Research Data Center and did not have access to individual patient-level data. Ethical approval and patient consent were not required under German regulations. Our findings were reported based on the STROBE statement for cohort studies.
Since the implementation of the diagnosis-related group (DRG) system in 2005, German hospitals are mandated to submit inpatient data, including diagnoses, surgical procedures, and perioperative outcomes, to the institute for the hospital remuneration system. Diagnoses and perioperative outcomes are coded using the 10th revision of the International Classification of Diseases, German Modification (ICD-10-GM), while surgical procedures are coded using the German procedure classification (OPS). The standardization of documentation is ensured by the German Institute for Medical Documentation and Information.

2.2. Study Population and Outcomes

The study included all hospitalized male patients diagnosed with urethral stricture (ICD-10-GM: N35 or N99.1) who underwent free graft urethroplasty with buccal mucosa (OPS code: 5-584.72) or preputial skin (OPS code: 5-584.71), urethral excision with primary anastomosis (OPS code: 5-584.6), meatoplasty (OPS code: 5-581), urethral dilatation (OPS code: 8-139.0), direct vision internal urethrotomy (OPS code: 5-585), or drug-coated balloon dilatation (OPS code: 8-139.1) between 2005 and 2023. Patients undergoing staged correction of urethral strictures, as well as patients managed conservatively or those treated in an ambulatory setting, were excluded, since we did not have access to these data. Additional ICD-10-GM and OPS codes were used to identify comorbidities and inpatient complications. The primary aim of this study was to assess the trends and perioperative outcomes of patients undergoing surgical correction of urethral strictures. Secondary outcomes included comparing the perioperative outcomes of free graft urethroplasty with buccal mucosa versus preputial skin in terms of length of hospital stay, sepsis, and transfusion rates.

2.3. Statistical Analysis

We used multivariable logistic and linear regression models to assess the perioperative outcomes of free graft urethroplasty with buccal mucosa versus preputial skin in terms of length of hospital stay, sepsis, and transfusion rates. All models were adjusted for age, diabetes, chronic renal failure, hypertension, and obesity. Categorical data were presented as frequencies with proportions, and continuous data were presented as medians with interquartile ranges (IQRs). Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated, and p-values below 0.05 were deemed statistically significant. The statistical analyses were performed by the Research Data Center based on R scripts developed by our team (source: Research Data Center, DRG Statistics 2005–2023). When less than three cases of an outcome were reported, these data were censored by the German Federal Statistical Office to prevent individual patient identification.

3. Results

3.1. Baseline Characteristics

The baseline characteristics of patients undergoing different surgical techniques for correction of urethral strictures are presented in Table 1. A total of 500,937 patients underwent surgery. Internal urethrotomy was the most frequently performed procedure (n = 413,095, 82%), followed by urethral dilatation (n = 39,619, 8%), meatoplasty (n = 30,774, 6%), urethroplasty with buccal mucosa (n = 12,351, 2%), urethral excision with primary anastomosis (n = 3428, 0.7%), urethroplasty with preputial skin (n = 1585, 0.3%), and drug-coated balloon dilatation (n = 85, <0.1%).
The median patient age varied across modalities and was higher in patients undergoing internal urethrotomy (71 years, with an IQR of 62–78) and urethral dilatation (71 years, with an IQR of 61–79) and lower in patients undergoing urethral excision with primary anastomosis (53 years, with an IQR of 35–68), urethroplasty with buccal mucosa (55 years, with an IQR of 40–68), and urethroplasty with preputial skin (56 years, with an IQR of 40–69). Concerning comorbidities, the most common were hypertension (n = 199,048, 48%) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (n = 130,556, 32%), followed by diabetes (n = 73,292, 18%). Median hospital stay ranged from 3 days for drug-coated balloon dilatation to 7 days for urethroplasty.
Figure 1 illustrates the annual trends of surgical correction techniques for urethral strictures. Surgical correction of urethral strictures in a hospitalized setting has steadily declined in recent years. Internal urethrotomy remains the preferred treatment modality. Conversely, the frequency of advanced techniques like urethroplasty has remained relatively stable. Moreover, the use of drug-coated balloon dilatation has increased during the last few years.

3.2. Comparison of Outcomes: Urethroplasty with Buccal Mucosa Versus Preputial Skin

The perioperative outcomes of buccal mucosa and preputial skin urethroplasty are detailed in Table 2. Transfusion rates were slightly higher in patients undergoing urethroplasty with preputial skin (0.8%) compared to buccal mucosa urethroplasty (0.4%), but the difference did not reach statistical significance (OR: 1.81, 95% CI: 0.92 to 3.29, and p = 0.07). Similarly, the incidence of sepsis was low and comparable between the two groups (0.3% vs. 0.2%, OR: 1.2, 95% CI: 0.34 to 3, and p = 0.8). On the contrary, the length of hospital stay was significantly shorter for preputial skin urethroplasty compared to buccal mucosa urethroplasty (day difference: 0.4 days, 95% CI: 0.05 to 0.7, and p = 0.02).

4. Discussion

The present nationwide analysis provides a comprehensive evaluation of the baseline characteristics and trends in surgical correction techniques for urethral strictures. Our findings highlight that the number of cases that are annually performed is steadily decreasing. Still, internal urethrotomy remains the most common procedure, particularly in older patients, despite its declining use in recent years. Advanced techniques like urethroplasty, though performed less frequently, demonstrated stable utilization and low overall complication rates. Notably, urethroplasty with preputial skin was associated with a slightly shorter hospital stay compared to buccal mucosa urethroplasty. Still, no significant differences were observed in the rates of transfusion or sepsis between these techniques, indicating comparable safety profiles. Importantly, the observed increase in the use of drug-coated balloon dilatation during recent years suggests its emerging role as a minimally invasive option for select cases.
The trends in surgical correction of urethral strictures suggest a steady decline in the number of annual internal urethrotomies and meatoplasties performed in a hospitalized setting. Given that the worldwide incidence of urethral strictures is increasing and considering that the annual cases of urethroplasties have remained relatively stable, this trend might be explained by the fact that internal urethrotomies and meatoplasties are usually performed in an ambulatory setting [17,18]. Moreover, urethral dilatations remain a commonly performed procedure in the ambulatory setting for the management of urethral strictures [19]. In the present analysis, we included all urethral dilatations that were performed in a hospitalized setting. These were adjunct procedures to other endourological procedures such as transurethral resection of prostate or bladder tumors. [20]. Similarly, some of the internal urethrotomy cases might have been adjunct procedures to other surgeries. Still, internal urethrotomy continues to dominate as the most commonly utilized treatment modality, likely due to its simplicity and widespread adoption [21]. Importantly, the observed stable number of urethroplasty procedures suggests that the number of patients with complex or recurrent urethral strictures does not increase in Germany. On the contrary, in other European countries such as the UK, the annual urethrotomies is increasing [22]. Moreover, drug-coated balloon dilatations are gaining in popularity. Still, further long-term outcomes are expected with great interest to prove whether they can endure over time as an effective treatment modality [23].
Our findings are in line with previous studies, suggesting that buccal mucosa is the most common graft for urethroplasty [24]. Accumulating evidence also suggests that the perioperative outcomes of urethroplasty are low [25]. In our analysis, preputial skin urethroplasty was associated with a slightly shorter length of hospital stay, which is probably due to the pain and complications related to the buccal mucosa [26]. Nevertheless, it seems that the long-term safety and efficacy of both grafts are comparable. In particular, in a randomized controlled trial comparing buccal mucosa with penile skin as a graft for anterior strictures, no significant differences were observed between the two grafts [27]. On the contrary, a recent systematic review and meta-analysis suggested that buccal urethroplasty may provide better outcomes compared to penile skin graft urethroplasty [28]. Similarly, in patients with lichen sclerosus-related strictures, the use of penile skin graft is associated with poorer patency rates [29]. Still, it should be highlighted that the characteristics of each stricture display high variation, and a plethora of confounding factors may affect the outcomes [30]. Therefore, clear conclusions about the long-term efficacy of urethroplasty cannot be made. Based on the previous notion, our analysis focused on perioperative outcomes, underscoring the safety of both techniques.
It should be highlighted that it was beyond the scope of the present study to compare the perioperative outcomes of all surgical techniques for urethral strictures due to their specific indications and the complexity of each stricture. These variations underscore the need for individualized treatment approaches based on the nature of the stricture, patient characteristics, and surgeon expertise [31]. Available evidence suggests that internal urethrotomy, despite its high recurrence rates, remains the procedure of choice due to its simplicity and shorter recovery time [32]. Similarly, all endourological procedures may play an important role in specific clinical scenarios, particularly for patients unfit for urethroplasty [33]. Moreover, meatoplasty and urethral primary anastomosis serve as niche procedures for specific indications, such as distal strictures or traumatic injuries, respectively [34,35].
It should be stressed that randomized controlled studies or systematic reviews and meta-analyses comparing the different surgical procedures for male urethral strictures are lacking. Therefore, future research in urethral stricture management should focus on high-quality studies. Moreover, emerging minimally invasive techniques such as regenerative medicine approaches, including stem cell therapy and tissue-engineered grafts, have shown promising preliminary results and could revolutionize stricture treatment in the coming years [36]. It seems that the treatment trends of urethral strictures display significant variability worldwide [21]. In particular, some countries opt for conservative management approaches, such as intermittent self-catheterization, while others increasingly adopt sophisticated surgical interventions [37]. In North America, for instance, there is a trend toward the decreased use of repeat endoscopic procedures and the increased use of urethroplasty [18]. The latter underscores the importance of continued research into the optimal integration of existing and novel therapies, as well as the need for cost-effectiveness analyses to guide policy decisions and resource allocation in different healthcare settings [38].
This study represents, to the best of our knowledge, the largest analysis of baseline characteristics, perioperative outcomes, and trends in surgical correction techniques for urethral strictures. However, several limitations must be acknowledged. First, the retrospective design and reliance on administrative billing data may introduce inaccuracies due to coding errors or misclassifications. Additionally, critical clinical details such as the etiology, the location, the complexity or the length of the stricture, the applied surgical techniques (e.g., onlay or inlay urethroplasty and laser versus cold knife urethrotomy), the number of recurrences, and the operative time were not available for analysis. Given that our follow-up is restricted to the time in hospital, the absence of long-term data on functional outcomes, recurrence rates, and patient-reported quality of life limits the ability to draw comprehensive conclusions. While a comparison of outcomes between different urethroplasty techniques was performed, the lack of data on specific patient characteristics and intraoperative details may impact the interpretation of results. Importantly, we only had access to hospitalized cases; thus, the outcomes of ambulatory urethral dilatations could not be evaluated. Based on the previous notion, the real-life trends of some surgical techniques such as internal urethrotomy or drug-coated balloon dilatation might be even higher. The latter might also be supported by the fact that drug-coated balloon dilatation is not reimbursed by the German healthcare insurance in some cases. Based on the previous notion, as this study is specific to the German healthcare system, caution is advised when extrapolating these findings to other healthcare settings with varying surgical practices and resource availability.

5. Conclusions

The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the perioperative outcomes and trends in the surgical management of urethral strictures. Internal urethrotomy remains the most commonly performed procedure, though its use has declined in recent years. Advanced techniques, such as urethroplasty with buccal mucosa or preputial skin, have maintained stable utilization, highlighting their role in managing complex or recurrent strictures. Nevertheless, the choice of graft material should be guided by patient-specific factors and stricture complexity. Understanding the evolving trends and outcomes of urethral stricture surgeries is crucial for optimizing clinical decision-making and improving patient care. Overall, it should be highlighted that each surgical approach is associated with specific indications and limitations.

Author Contributions

All authors participated in the drafting, writing, and editing of the manuscript. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Institutional Review Board Statement

Approval is waived In accordance with national legislation and institutional requirements, the present study did not require written informed consent from the participants or ethical approval. All data used in this work are stored anonymized at the German Federal Statistical Office.

Informed Consent Statement

In accordance with national legislation and institutional requirements, the present study did not require written informed consent from the participants or ethical approval. All data used in this work are stored anonymized at the German Federal Statistical Office.

Data Availability Statement

The original contributions presented in this study are included in the article. Further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author(s).

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

References

  1. Latini, J.M.; McAninch, J.W.; Brandes, S.B.; Chung, J.Y.; Rosenstein, D. SIU/ICUD Consultation On Urethral Strictures: Epidemiology, etiology, anatomy, and nomenclature of urethral stenoses, strictures, and pelvic fracture urethral disruption injuries. Urology 2014, 83 (Suppl. 3), S1–S7. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  2. Stein, D.M.; Thum, D.J.; Barbagli, G.; Kulkarni, S.; Sansalone, S.; Pardeshi, A.; Gonzalez, C.M. A geographic analysis of male urethral stricture aetiology and location. BJU Int. 2013, 112, 830–834. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  3. Alwaal, A.; Blaschko, S.D.; McAninch, J.W.; Breyer, B.N. Epidemiology of urethral strictures. Transl. Androl. Urol. 2014, 3, 209–213. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  4. Palminteri, E.; Berdondini, E.; Verze, P.; De Nunzio, C.; Vitarelli, A.; Carmignani, L. Contemporary urethral stricture characteristics in the developed world. Urology 2013, 81, 191–196. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  5. Patel, H.V.; Li, K.D.; Rourke, K.F.; Smith, T.G.; Voelzke, B.B.; Myers, J.B.; Broghammer, J.A.; Alsikafi, N.F.; Buckley, J.C.; Zhao, L.C.; et al. The Impact of Social Deprivation on Anterior Urethral Stricture Recurrence After Urethroplasty: A Trauma and Urologic Reconstructive Network of Surgeons Analysis. J. Urol. 2024, 212, 882–890. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  6. Purohit, R.S.; Golan, R.; Copeli, F.; Weinberger, J.; Benedon, M.; Mekel, G.; Blaivas, J.G. Natural History of Low-stage Urethral Strictures. Urology 2017, 108, 180–183. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  7. Lumen, N.; Campos-Juanatey, F.; Greenwell, T.; Martins, F.E.; Osman, N.I.; Riechardt, S.; Waterloos, M.; Barratt, R.; Chan, G.; Esperto, F.; et al. European Association of Urology Guidelines on Urethral Stricture Disease (Part 1): Management of Male Urethral Stricture Disease. Eur. Urol. 2021, 80, 190–200. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  8. Jackson, M.J.; Sciberras, J.; Mangera, A.; Brett, A.; Watkin, N.; N’Dow, J.M.; Chapple, C.R.; Andrich, D.E.; Pickard, R.S.; Mundy, A.R. Defining a patient-reported outcome measure for urethral stricture surgery. Eur. Urol. 2011, 60, 60–68. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  9. Campos-Juanatey, F.; Osman, N.I.; Greenwell, T.; Martins, F.E.; Riechardt, S.; Waterloos, M.; Barratt, R.; Chan, G.; Esperto, F.; Ploumidis, A.; et al. European Association of Urology Guidelines on Urethral Stricture Disease (Part 2): Diagnosis, Perioperative Management, and Follow-up in Males. Eur. Urol. 2021, 80, 201–212. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  10. Hampson, L.A.; McAninch, J.W.; Breyer, B.N. Male urethral strictures and their management. Nat. Rev. Urol. 2014, 11, 43–50. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [PubMed Central]
  11. Kluth, L.A.; Ernst, L.; Vetterlein, M.W.; Meyer, C.P.; Reiss, C.P.; Fisch, M.; Rosenbaum, C.M. Direct Vision Internal Urethrotomy for Short Anterior Urethral Strictures and Beyond: Success Rates, Predictors of Treatment Failure, and Recurrence Management. Urology 2017, 106, 210–215. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  12. Wong, S.S.W.; Aboumarzouk, O.M.; Narahari, R.; O’Riordan, A.; Pickard, R. Simple urethral dilatation, endoscopic urethrotomy, and urethroplasty for urethral stricture disease in adult men. Cochrane Database Syst. Rev. 2012, 12, CD006934. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  13. DeLong, J.; Virasoro, R.; Pichardo, M.; Estrella, R.; Rodríguez Lay, R.; Espino, G.; Elliott, S. Long-Term Outcomes of Recurrent Bulbar Urethral Stricture Treatment With the Optilume Drug-Coated Balloon: Five-Year Results From the ROBUST I Study. J. Urol. 2025, 213, 90–98. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  14. Pang, K.H.; Chapple, C.R.; Chatters, R.; Downey, A.P.; Harding, C.K.; Hind, D.; Watkin, N.; Osman, N.I. A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Adjuncts to Minimally Invasive Treatment of Urethral Stricture in Men. Eur. Urol. 2021, 80, 467–479. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  15. Nilsen, O.J.; Holm, H.V.; Ekerhult, T.O.; Lindqvist, K.; Grabowska, B.; Persson, B.; Sairanen, J. To Transect or Not Transect: Results from the Scandinavian Urethroplasty Study, A Multicentre Randomised Study of Bulbar Urethroplasty Comparing Excision and Primary Anastomosis Versus Buccal Mucosal Grafting. Eur. Urol. 2022, 81, 375–382. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  16. Wessells, H.; Morey, A.; Souter, L.; Rahimi, L.; Vanni, A. Urethral Stricture Disease Guideline Amendment (2023). J. Urol. 2023, 210, 64–71. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  17. McGeorge, S.; Chung, A.; Desai, D.J. Trends in urethral stricture management over two decades. BJU Int. 2019, 124 (Suppl. 1), 37–41. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  18. Johnsen, N.V.; Holt, S.K.; Wingate, J.T. National Trends in the Management of Urethral Stricture Disease. Urol. Pract. 2020, 7, 541–546. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  19. Naud, E.; Rourke, K. Recent Trends and Advances in Anterior Urethroplasty. Urol. Clin. N. Am. 2022, 49, 371–382. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  20. Pyrgidis, N.; Moschini, M.; Tzelves, L.; Somani, B.K.; Juliebø-Jones, P.; Del Giudice, F.; Mertens, L.S.; Pichler, R.; Volz, Y.; Ebner, B.; et al. Perioperative Outcomes and Trends in Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumors with Photodynamic Diagnosis: Results from the GeRmAn Nationwide Inpatient Data Study. J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13, 3531. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  21. Ostrovsky, A.M.; Prebay, Z.J.; Chung, P.H. Trends in Male and Female Urethral Endoscopic Management and Urethroplasty Using the TriNetX Database. J. Clin. Med. 2023, 12, 2137. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  22. Hillary, C.J.; Osman, N.I.; Chapple, C.R. Current trends in urethral stricture management. Asian J. Urol. 2014, 1, 46–54. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  23. Elliott, S.P.; Coutinho, K.; Robertson, K.J.; D’Anna, R.; Chevli, K.; Carrier, S.; Aube-Peterkin, M.; Cantrill, C.H.; Ehlert, M.J.; Te, A.E.; et al. One-Year Results for the ROBUST III Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating the Optilume® Drug-Coated Balloon for Anterior Urethral Strictures. J. Urol. 2022, 207, 866–875. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  24. Sánchez, A.L.; García-Perdomo, H.A.; Robayo, J.A. Alternatives to oral mucosa grafts for urethral reconstruction. Nat. Rev. Urol. 2023, 20, 259–260. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  25. Sterling, J.; Simhan, J.; Flynn, B.J.; Rusilko, P.; França, W.A.; Ramirez, E.A.; Angulo, J.C.; Martins, F.E.; Patel, H.V.; Higgins, M.; et al. Multi-Institutional Outcomes of Dorsal Onlay Buccal Mucosal Graft Urethroplasty in Patients With Postprostatectomy, Postradiation Anastomotic Stenosis. J. Urol. 2024, 211, 596–604. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  26. Ayangbesan, A.; Koch, G.E.; Dagostino, C.; Proctor, J.M.; Gambrah, H.; Bhalla, R.G.; Bonnet, K.; Schlundt, D.; Johnsen, N.V. Qualitative Analysis of Patient Experiences Reaching Urethroplasty for Recurrent Urethral Stricture Disease. J. Urol. 2024, 211, 153–162. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  27. Tyagi, S.; Parmar, K.M.; Singh, S.K.; Sharma, A.; Shukla, M.; Sharma, A.P.; Devana, S.K.; Sharma, G.; Kumar, S.; Mandal, A.K. ’Pee’BuSt Trial: A single-centre prospective randomized study comparing functional and anatomic outcomes after augmentation urethroplasty with penile skin graft versus buccal mucosa graft for anterior urethral stricture disease. World J. Urol. 2022, 40, 475–481. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  28. Sharma, A.K.; Chandrashekar, R.; Keshavamurthy, R.; Nelvigi, G.G.; Kamath, A.J.; Sharma, S.; Venkatesh, G.K. Lingual versus buccal mucosa graft urethroplasty for anterior urethral stricture: A prospective comparative analysis. Int. J. Urol. 2013, 20, 1199–1203. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  29. Sharma, G.; Sharma, S.; Parmar, K. Buccal mucosa or penile skin for substitution urethroplasty: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Indian J. Urol. 2020, 36, 81–88. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  30. Erickson, B.A.; Tuong, M.N.; Zorn, A.N.; Schlaepfer, C.H.; Alsikafi, N.F.; Breyer, B.N.; Broghammer, J.A.; Buckley, J.C.; Elliott, S.P.; Myers, J.B.; et al. Development and Validation of the Length, Segment, and Etiology Anterior Urethral Stricture Disease Staging System Using Longitudinal Urethroplasty Outcomes Data From the Trauma and Urologic Reconstruction Network of Surgeons. J. Urol. 2025, 213, 512–523. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  31. Anderson, K.T.; Vanni, A.J.; Erickson, B.A.; Myers, J.B.; Voelzke, B.; Breyer, B.N.; Broghammer, J.A.; Buckley, J.C.; Zhao, L.C.; Smith, T.G.; et al. Defining Success after Anterior Urethroplasty: An Argument for a Universal Definition and Surveillance Protocol. J. Urol. 2022, 208, 135–143. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  32. Frankiewicz, M.; Cocci, A.; Vetterlein, M.W.; Verla, W.; Campos-Juanatey, F.; Castiglione, F.; Mantica, G.; Rosenbaum, C.M.; Waterloos, M.; Adamowicz, J.; et al. Urethroscopic Findings Following Urethroplasty Predict the Need for Secondary Intervention in the Long Term: A Multi-Institutional Study From Trauma and Urologic Reconstructive Network of Surgeons. Letter. J. Urol. 2022, 208, 957–958. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  33. Cotter, K.J.; Hahn, A.E.; Voelzke, B.B.; Myers, J.B.; Smith, T.G.; Elliott, S.P.; Alsikafi, N.F.; Breyer, B.N.; Vanni, A.J.; Buckley, J.C.; et al. Trends in Urethral Stricture Disease Etiology and Urethroplasty Technique From a Multi-institutional Surgical Outcomes Research Group. Urology 2019, 130, 167–174. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  34. Babu, P.; Nayak, A.; Javali, T.D.; Joshi, P.; Nagaraj, H.K.; Aggarwal, K. Evaluation of Jordan’s meatoplasty for the treatment of fossa navicularis strictures. A retrospective study. Cent. Eur. J. Urol. 2017, 70, 103–106. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  35. Shakir, N.A.; Fuchs, J.S.; Haney, N.; Viers, B.R.; Cordon, B.H.; McKibben, M.; Scott, J.; Armenakas, N.A.; Morey, A.F. Excision and Primary Anastomosis Reconstruction for Traumatic Strictures of the Pendulous Urethra. Urology 2019, 125, 234–238. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  36. Jin, Y.; Zhao, W.; Yang, M.; Fang, W.; Gao, G.; Wang, Y.; Fu, Q. Cell-Based Therapy for Urethral Regeneration: A Narrative Review and Future Perspectives. Biomedicines 2023, 11, 2366. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [PubMed Central]
  37. Hoare, D.T.; Doiron, R.C.; Rourke, K.F. The evolution of urethral stricture and urethroplasty practice over 15 years: A single-center, single-surgeon, 1319 urethroplasty analysis. Can. Urol. Assoc. J. 2022, 16, 289–293. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [PubMed Central]
  38. Guo, Y.; Ma, N.; Zhang, J.; Chen, S.; Liu, P.; Yang, Z.; Li, Y. Surgical Management of Anterior Urethral Stricture: A 23-year Single-Center Study. Res. Rep. Urol. 2025, 17, 31–42. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [PubMed Central]
Figure 1. The annual trends of major techniques for the surgical correction of urethral strictures. Note that the Y-axis scale differs in (A,B).
Figure 1. The annual trends of major techniques for the surgical correction of urethral strictures. Note that the Y-axis scale differs in (A,B).
Jcm 14 02171 g001
Table 1. Baseline characteristics of the included patients. Variables are presented as the median (interquartile range) or frequencies with proportions. Censorship due to data protection are marked as XXX.
Table 1. Baseline characteristics of the included patients. Variables are presented as the median (interquartile range) or frequencies with proportions. Censorship due to data protection are marked as XXX.
CharacteristicUrethral Primary Anastomosis, n = 3428Urethral Dilatation, n = 39,619Meatoplasty, n = 30,774Urethroplasty with Buccal Mucosa, n = 12,351Drug-coated Balloon Dilatation, n = 85Urethroplasty with Preputial Skin, n = 1585Internal Urethrotomy, n = 413,095
Age (years)53 (35–68)71 (61–79)65 (44–74)55 (40–68)71 (58–77)56 (40–69)71 (62–78)
Benign prostatic hyperplasia160 (4.7%)11,299 (29%)8849 (29%)451 (3.7%)XXXXXX130,556 (32%)
Diabetes312 (9.1%)8044 (20%)4582 (15%)1316 (11%)11 (13%)175 (11%)73,292 (18%)
Chronic heart failure66 (1.9%)2898 (7.3%)1048 (3.4%)199 (1.6%)6 (7.1%)25 (1.6%)21,236 (5.1%)
Chronic kidney disease162 (4.7%)5235 (13%)1947 (6.3%)481 (3.9%)10 (12%)61 (3.8%)38,767 (9.4%)
Hypertension1013 (30%)20,517 (52%)11,343 (37%)4225 (34%)33 (39%)522 (33%)199,048 (48%)
Obesity181 (5.3%)2554 (6.4%)1623 (5.3%)666 (5.4%)3 (3.5%)83 (5.2%)22,861 (5.5%)
Hospital stay (days)7 (5–11)4.0 (2–7)4 (2–6)7 (6–11)3 (2–4)7 (6–10)4 (3–7)
Reimbursement (EUR)4789 (4583–5331)2245 (1821–3250)6856 (5884–7336)2001 (1920–2191)4711 (4363–5316)2239 (1904–3045)4789 (4583–5331)
Age group
<501491 (43%)4636 (12%)8570 (28%)4710 (38%)12 (14%)601 (38%)39,245 (9.5%)
50–59552 (16%)3943 (10%)3336 (11%)2278 (18%)11 (13%)256 (16%)40,169 (9.7%)
60–69587 (17%)7875 (20%)6328 (21%)2448 (20%)16 (19%)294 (19%)89,700 (22%)
70–79604 (18%)12,597 (32%)8197 (27%)2409 (20%)26 (31%)329 (21%)148,164 (36%)
Year of surgery
2005208 (6.1%)821 (2.1%)2258 (7.3%)447 (3.6%)0 (0%)94 (5.9%)27,718 (6.7%)
2006204 (6.0%)921 (2.3%)2124 (6.9%)435 (3.5%)0 (0%)74 (4.7%)27,229 (6.6%)
2007195 (5.7%)829 (2.1%)1906 (6.2%)462 (3.7%)0 (0%)115 (7.3%)26,736 (6.5%)
2008231 (6.7%)849 (2.1%)1814 (5.9%)493 (4.0%)0 (0%)143 (9.0%)25,843 (6.3%)
2009169 (4.9%)918 (2.3%)1676 (5.4%)438 (3.5%)0 (0%)131 (8.3%)25,676 (6.2%)
2010151 (4.4%)878 (2.2%)1647 (5.4%)521 (4.2%)0 (0%)110 (6.9%)24,759 (6.0%)
2011171 (5.0%)1030 (2.6%)1619 (5.3%)556 (4.5%)0 (0%)87 (5.5%)23,051 (5.6%)
2012147 (4.3%)1167 (2.9%)1556 (5.1%)666 (5.4%)0 (0%)96 (6.1%)22,971 (5.6%)
2013148 (4.3%)1347 (3.4%)1485 (4.8%)720 (5.8%)0 (0%)77 (4.9%)22,006 (5.3%)
2014198 (5.8%)2480 (6.3%)1564 (5.1%)852 (6.9%)0 (0%)83 (5.2%)22,519 (5.5%)
2015183 (5.3%)2692 (6.8%)1600 (5.2%)786 (6.4%)0 (0%)62 (3.9%)21,377 (5.2%)
2016189 (5.5%)2821 (7.1%)1636 (5.3%)828 (6.7%)0 (0%)87 (5.5%)20,935 (5.1%)
2017220 (6.4%)2888 (7.3%)1570 (5.1%)869 (7.0%)0 (0%)63 (4.0%)20,009 (4.8%)
2018184 (5.4%)3076 (7.8%)1587 (5.2%)872 (7.1%)0 (0%)67 (4.2%)19,317 (4.7%)
2019169 (4.9%)3297 (8.3%)1536 (5.0%)840 (6.8%)0 (0%)76 (4.8%)19,275 (4.7%)
2020185 (5.4%)3089 (7.8%)1344 (4.4%)745 (6.0%)0 (0%)72 (4.5%)16,947 (4.1%)
2021190 (5.5%)3295 (8.3%)1300 (4.2%)713 (5.8%)0 (0%)45 (2.8%)16,434 (4.0%)
2022126 (3.7%)3495 (8.8%)1238 (4.0%)519 (4.2%)20 (24%)56 (3.5%)15,318 (3.7%)
2023160 (4.7%)3723 (9.4%)1314 (4.3%)589 (4.8%)65 (76%)47 (3.0%)14,975 (3.6%)
Table 2. Multivariable linear and logistic regression analysis comparing free graft urethroplasty with buccal mucosa versus preputial skin. All models are adjusted for age, diabetes, chronic renal failure, hypertension, and obesity. The bold cells indicate statistically significant p-values. CI: confidence interval.
Table 2. Multivariable linear and logistic regression analysis comparing free graft urethroplasty with buccal mucosa versus preputial skin. All models are adjusted for age, diabetes, chronic renal failure, hypertension, and obesity. The bold cells indicate statistically significant p-values. CI: confidence interval.
OutcomeUrethroplasty with Buccal MucosaUrethroplasty with Preputial Skin
CasesEstimate (95% CI), p-ValueCasesEstimate (95% CI), p-Value
Transfusion52 (0.4%)12 (0.8%)1.81 (0.92, 3.29), 0.07
Sepsis27 (0.2%)4 (0.3%)1.2 (0.34, 3), 0.8
Length of hospital stay7 (6–11)7 (6–10)−0.4 (−0.7, −0.05), 0.02
Disclaimer/Publisher’s Note: The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of MDPI and/or the editor(s). MDPI and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content.

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Bischoff, R.; Marcon, J.; Schulz, G.B.; Stief, C.G.; Keller, P.; Eismann, L.; Weinhold, P.; Pyrgidis, N. Perioperative Outcomes and Trends of Surgical Correction of Male Urethral Strictures: Results from the GRAND Study. J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14, 2171. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14072171

AMA Style

Bischoff R, Marcon J, Schulz GB, Stief CG, Keller P, Eismann L, Weinhold P, Pyrgidis N. Perioperative Outcomes and Trends of Surgical Correction of Male Urethral Strictures: Results from the GRAND Study. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2025; 14(7):2171. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14072171

Chicago/Turabian Style

Bischoff, Robert, Julian Marcon, Gerald Bastian Schulz, Christian G. Stief, Patrick Keller, Lennert Eismann, Philipp Weinhold, and Nikolaos Pyrgidis. 2025. "Perioperative Outcomes and Trends of Surgical Correction of Male Urethral Strictures: Results from the GRAND Study" Journal of Clinical Medicine 14, no. 7: 2171. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14072171

APA Style

Bischoff, R., Marcon, J., Schulz, G. B., Stief, C. G., Keller, P., Eismann, L., Weinhold, P., & Pyrgidis, N. (2025). Perioperative Outcomes and Trends of Surgical Correction of Male Urethral Strictures: Results from the GRAND Study. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 14(7), 2171. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14072171

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop