Endoscopic management of the obliterated anastomosis following radical prostatectomy.
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated an endoscopic technique to treat the challenging problem of an obliterated anastomosis following radical prostatectomy.


METHODS
Four men with a mean 2.25 cm. obliterative defect underwent visual internal urethrotomy along a sternal guide wire passed under direct antegrade and retrograde vision. Men then performed self-dilation according to an increasing interval protocol.


RESULTS
All 4 men maintained anastomotic patency for a mean followup of 12.5 months and 1 no longer requires self-calibration. There were no complications of this procedure.


CONCLUSIONS
Endoscopic management coupled with self-dilation offers a safe, minimally invasive option for difficult, long obliterative anastomotic defects following radical prostatectomy.
Carr
L K
LK
Division of Urologic Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA.
Webster
G D
GD
D000368:Aged; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D020684:Cystoscopes; D003558:Cystoscopy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012648:Self Care; D014525:Urethral Stricture / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000601:surgery*; D014546:Urinary Catheterization