Q-flap reconstruction of panurethral strictures.
OBJECTIVE
To review our experience with an extended Q-shaped penile skin flap for the reconstruction of panurethral strictures.


METHODS
Between 1991 and 1999, 15 men with extensive strictures underwent a single-stage urethral reconstruction with a distal circumferential penile skin flap incorporating a ventral midline extension (Q-flap). None had undergone previous urethroplasty nor had any been circumcised.


RESULTS
The Q-flap provided a pedicled strip of penile skin with a mean (range) length of 17 (15-24) cm; no additional graft materials were necessary. Excellent results were obtained in 10 patients; in the remainder, complications included recurrent stricture (in two) and (in one patient each) a cerebral vascular accident, urethrocutaneous fistula, meatal stenosis, femoral neuropathy and prolonged catheterization for focal extravasation.


CONCLUSIONS
The Q-flap provides an abundant hairless penile skin flap that enables single-stage panurethral reconstruction while eliminating the additional time and morbidity of harvesting further grafts.
Morey
A F
AF
Urology Service, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas 78234-6360, USA.
Tran
L K
LK
Zinman
L M
LM
D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014525:Urethral Stricture / Q000601:surgery*