Visual Primary Realignment in the Management of Proximal Urethral Injury

Lee, chun Yong; Yoo, Tag Keun

Abstract

We describe our experience with visual primary urethral realignment, a new approach devised by authors, in the management of 5 male patients with proximal urethral injuries (3 bulbomembranous and 2 bulbous), utilizing a simple procedure with a flexible cystoscope through the tract made by a suprapubic cystostomy using a Campbell trocar set. No significant complication was experienced except for urethral strictures in 3 patients, easily corrected by visual internal urethrotomy. The new technique offers an alternative, much simpler with several advantages over the conventional methods : could be performed under a local anesthesia for the patients without accompanying damage to the intraperitoneal organs, enables the surgeon to visualize the damaged portion of the urethra for more accurate assessment of the damage, and does not require an open laparatomy, thus, offering an economical and a less invasive alternative approach with shorter hospitalization days and reduced pain for the patient.