title: Reconstruction of urethral erosion in men with a neurogenic bladder.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the surgical outcomes and operative technique for reconstructing catheter-induced urethral erosion in men with a neurogenic bladder.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospective study of 11 men (median age 45 years, range 26-52) who had elective urethroplasty for urethral erosion between 2004 and 2007 by one surgeon (C.M.G.). All men had a diagnosis of neurogenic bladder and indwelling catheter-induced urethral erosion. Reconstructive techniques included primary closure in six men, substitution urethroplasty with a penile skin graft in three, penile skin flap in one and a buccal mucosa graft in one. A two-stage approach was used in one man.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median (range) length of erosion from the meatus before surgery was 6 (4-10) cm. The repair was successful in seven men at a mean (range) follow-up of 25 (8-46) months. Of those with recurrence of erosion, the median length of the resultant defect was 2 (2-3) cm. All recurrences were in the first five patients of this series. The median time to recurrence of erosion was 1 month and recurrence did not appear to be related to any particular surgical technique. Urethral catheter traction after surgery appeared to be one of the factors related to repair breakdown.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The reconstruction of catheter-induced urethral erosion in men with a neurogenic bladder is feasible. Primary closure appears to be the best reconstructive method for urethral erosion, and avoiding catheter traction after surgery contributes to successful urethroplasty.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
authors.forename: Joshua J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Meeks
authors.forename: Bradley A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Erickson
authors.forename: Brian T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Helfand
authors.forename: Chris M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Gonzalez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010413:Penis / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014521:Urethra / Q000601:surgery*; D014522:Urethral Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D001750:Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic / Q000150:complications*; D013520:Urologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*