Prepubic urethrectomy with urethral stripping.
OBJECTIVE
Prepubic urethrectomy is a simple, safe alternative to perineal urethrectomy. The lithotomy position can be avoided and, thus, operative time and risk of deep venous thrombosis are decreased. We developed a simple modification because of difficulty in dissecting the bulbous urethra.


METHODS
From 1996 through 1998 prepubic urethrectomy was performed using a modified procedure in 21 patients with invasive bladder carcinoma undergoing radical cystectomy and supravesical diversion. After periurethral mobilization the urethra was cannulated with an 18F catheter, sutured distal and stripped free.


RESULTS
Operative time decreased to 20 to 30 minutes with no significant postoperative complications.


CONCLUSIONS
Our modification of prepubic urethrectomy is safe, fast and easy.
Hiebl
R
R
Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, St. Antonius-Hospital, Eschweiler, Germany.
Langen
P H
PH
Haben
B
B
Polsky
M S
MS
Steffens
J
J
D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D014521:Urethra / Q000601:surgery*; D014523:Urethral Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013521:Urologic Surgical Procedures, Male / Q000379:methods*