title: Low risk of sexual dysfunction after transection and nontransection urethroplasty for bulbar urethral stricture.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Open urethroplasty is the preferred treatment for recurrent bulbar urethral stricture. However, there are still some controversies regarding the optimal technique and the consequences of transecting the urethra in terms of sexual dysfunction, such as erectile dysfunction, penile shortening, impaired glans filling, decreased glans sensibility and ejaculatory function. We performed a retrospective analysis with long-term followup of anastomotic and substitution onlay urethroplasty in bulbar strictures with an emphasis on postoperative sexual function.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 169 patients with bulbar stricture were treated with urethroplasty via the onlay technique (75) or resection followed by end-to-end anastomosis (94) during 1999 to 2009. Mean followup in the transection and onlay groups was 41 and 69 months, respectively (range 12 to 132). All patients were asked verbally about sexual function during followup. Failure was defined as the need for new surgical intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Erectile dysfunction developed in 1 patient (1%) per group. In the transection group 5 patients (5%), including 4 with longer and more distal strictures, had penile shortening/downward angulation. However, this did not interfere with sexual ability during intercourse. No patient reported impaired glans or ejaculatory function. The success rate in the transection and onlay groups was 91% and 71%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Transection with resection and end-to-end anastomosis is a good method for bulbar stricture with a low rate of sexual dysfunction and a high success rate postoperatively. To avoid penile angulation/shortening, it might be wise to use the onlay technique for longer and distal strictures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden. Teresa.ekerhult@vgregion.se
authors.forename: Teresa O
authors.initials: TO
authors.lastname: Ekerhult
authors.forename: Klas
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lindqvist
authors.forename: Ralph
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Peeker
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Grenabo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014525:Urethral Stricture / Q000601:surgery*; D013521:Urologic Surgical Procedures, Male / Q000379:methods*
keywords: penis; postoperative complications; sexual dysfunction, physiological; urethra; urethral stricture