EAU Guidelines on Urethral Strictures N. Lumen (Chair), F. Campos-Juanatey, K. Dimitropoulos, T. Greenwell, F.E. Martins, N. Osman, S. Riechardt, M. Waterloos Guidelines Associates: R. Barratt, G. Chan, F. Esperto, R. La Rocca, A. Ploumidis, W. Verla © European Association of Urology 2021 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE 1. INTRODUCTION 7 1.1 Aims and scope 7 1.2 Panel composition 7 1.3 Available publications 7 1.4 Publication history 7 2. METHODOLOGY 7 2.1 Methods 7 2.2 Review 8 2.3 Future goals 8 3. DEFINITION, EPIDEMIOLOGY, AETIOLOGY AND PREVENTION 8 3.1 Definitions 8 3.2 Epidemiology 9 3.3 Aetiology and prevention 9 3.3.1 Aetiology and prevention in males 9 3.3.2 Aetiology in females 14 4. CLASSIFICATIONS 14 4.1 According to stricture location 14 4.1.1 In males 14 4.1.1.1 Anterior urethra 14 4.1.1.2 Posterior urethra 14 4.1.2 In females 15 4.2 According to stricture tightness 15 4.3 Strictures in transgender men and woman 15 4.3.1 Trans women 15 4.3.2 Trans men 15 5. DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION 15 5.1 Patient history 15 5.2 Physical examination 16 5.2.1 Further diagnostic evaluation 16 5.2.1.1 Patient reported outcome measure (PROM) 16 5.2.1.2 Urinalysis and urine culture 17 5.2.1.3 Uroflowmetry and post-void residual estimation 17 5.2.1.4 Urethrography 17 5.2.1.5 Cystourethroscopy 18 5.2.1.6 Ultrasound 18 5.2.1.7 Magnetic resonance imaging 19 6. DISEASE MANAGEMENT IN MALES 21 6.1 Conservative options 21 6.1.1 Observation 21 6.1.2 Suprapubic catheter 22 6.2 Endoluminal treatment of anterior urethral strictures in males 22 6.2.1 Direct vision internal urethrotomy 22 6.2.1.1 Indications of “cold knife” direct vision internal urethrotomy 22 6.2.1.1.1 Direct vision internal urethrotomy for primary stricture treatment 22 6.2.1.1.2 Direct vision internal urethrotomy for recurrent strictures and as salvage treatment after failed urethroplasty 24 6.2.1.1.3 Predictors of failure of “cold knife” direct vision internal urethrotomy 24 6.2.1.1.3.1 Stricture length 24 6.2.1.1.3.2 Stricture tightness (calibre) 24 6.2.1.1.3.3 Number of strictures 24 6.2.1.1.3.4 Stricture aetiology 24 2 URETHRAL STRICTURES - 2021 6.2.1.1.3.5 Stricture location 25 6.2.1.1.3.6 Previous interventions 25 6.2.1.1.3.7 Other factors 25 6.2.1.2 Indications of “hot-knife” direct vision internal urethrotomy 26 6.2.1.2.1 Laser urethrotomy 26 6.2.1.2.2 Plasmakinetic (bipolar) urethrotomy 26 6.2.1.3 Complications of direct vision internal urethrotomy 26 6.2.1.3.1 Complications of “cold knife” direct vision internal urethrotomy 26 6.2.1.3.2 Complications of “hot knife” direct vision internal urethrotomy 27 6.2.1.3.3 Complications of “cold knife” versus “hot knife” direct vision internal urethrotomy 27 6.2.1.3.4 Complications of direct vision internal urethrotomy versus dilatation 27 6.2.1.3.5 Complications of “cold knife” direct vision internal urethrotomy versus urethroplasty 28 6.2.2 Single dilatation 28 6.2.2.1 Modalities of dilatation and results 28 6.2.2.2 Effectiveness of dilatation compared with direct vision internal urethrotomy 29 6.2.3 Post-dilatation/direct vision internal urethrotomy strategies 29 6.2.3.1 Intermittent self-dilatation 30 6.2.3.1.1 Results 30 6.2.3.1.2 Complications 30 6.2.3.1.3 Intermittent self-dilatation combined with intra-urethral corticosteroids 30 6.2.3.2 Intralesional injections 31 6.2.3.2.1 Steroids 31 6.2.3.2.2 Mitomycin C 31 6.2.3.2.3 Platelet rich plasma 31 6.2.3.3 Urethral stents 32 6.2.3.3.1 Results 32 6.2.3.3.2 Treatment of stent failure 34 6.3 Open repairs (urethroplasty): Site and aetiology (clinical scenario) treatment options 34 6.3.1 The role of urethroplasty in the management of penile urethral strictures 34 6.3.1.1 Staged augmentation urethroplasty 34 6.3.1.2 Single-stage augmentation urethroplasty 34 6.3.1.3 Anastomotic urethroplasty in men with penile urethral strictures 35 6.3.1.4 Specific considerations for failed hypospadias repair-related strictures 36 6.3.1.5 Specific considerations for lichen sclerosus-related penile urethral strictures 37 6.3.1.6 Distal urethral strictures (meatal stenosis, fossa navicularis strictures) 38 6.3.2 Urethroplasty for bulbar strictures 38 6.3.2.1 “Short” bulbar strictures 38 6.3.2.1.1 Excision and primary anastomosis 38 6.3.2.1.1.1 Excision and primary anastomosis with transection of corpus spongiosum (transecting EPA) 38 6.3.2.1.1.1.1 Patency rates 38 6.3.2.1.1.1.2 Complications 39 6.3.2.1.1.2 Non-transecting excision and primary anastomosis 39 6.3.2.1.1.2.1 Patency rates 39 6.3.2.1.1.2.2 Complications 39 6.3.2.1.2 Free graft urethroplasty 39 6.3.2.2 “Longer” bulbar strictures 40 6.3.2.2.1 Free graft urethroplasty 40 6.3.2.2.2 Augmented anastomotic repair 40 URETHRAL STRICTURES - 2021 3 6.3.2.2.3 Location of the graft during urethroplasty for bulbar strictures 41 6.3.2.3 Staged urethroplasty for bulbar urethral strictures 41 6.3.2.3.1 Indications 41 6.3.2.3.2 Outcomes 41 6.3.2.4 Risk factors for adverse outcomes 42 6.3.2.5 Management of recurrence after bulbar urethroplasty 43 6.3.3 Urethroplasty for penobulbar or panurethral strictures 43 6.3.4 Perineal urethrostomy 45 6.3.4.1 Indications 45 6.3.4.2 Types of perineal urethrostomy 45 6.3.4.3 Outcomes 45 6.3.4.3.1 Patency rates 45 6.3.4.3.2 Complications 45 6.3.4.3.3 Patient reported outcomes 46 6.3.4.3.4 Risk factors for patency failure of the perineal urethrostomy 46 6.3.5 Posterior urethra 46 6.3.5.1 Non-traumatic posterior urethral stenosis 46 6.3.5.1.1 Treatment of non-traumatic posterior urethral stenosis 46 6.3.5.1.2 Endoluminal management of non-traumatic posterior urethral stenosis 47 6.3.5.1.2.1 Dilatation of non-traumatic posterior urethral stenosis 47 6.3.5.1.2.2 Endoscopic incision/resection of non- traumatic posterior urethral stenosis 47 6.3.5.1.2.3 Post-dilatation/direct vision internal urethrotomy strategies for non-traumatic posterior urethral stenosis 49 6.3.5.1.2.3.1 Intermittent self-dilatation for non-traumatic posterior urethral stenosis 49 6.3.5.1.2.3.2 Intralesional injections for non-traumatic posterior urethral stenosis 49 6.3.5.1.2.3.3 Urethral stent for non- traumatic posterior urethral stenosis 49 6.3.5.1.3 Lower urinary tract reconstruction for non-traumatic posterior urethral stenosis 50 6.3.5.1.3.1 Redo vesico-urethral anastomosis for vesico-urethral anastomotic stenosis after radical prostatectomy 50 6.3.5.1.3.2 Posterior stenosis after surgery for benign prostatic obstruction 52 6.3.5.1.3.2.1 Bladder neck reconstruction for bladder neck stenosis after surgery for benign prostatic obstruction 52 6.3.5.1.3.2.2 Bulbomembranous strictures after surgery for benign prostatic obstruction 52 6.3.5.1.3.3 Radiation/high-energy induced posterior strictures 52 6.3.5.1.3.3.1 Bulbomembranous strictures secondary to radiation/high energy sources 52 4 URETHRAL STRICTURES - 2021 6.3.5.1.3.3.2 Prostatic strictures secondary to radiation/high energy sources 53 6.3.5.1.4 Extirpative surgery and urinary diversion for non-traumatic posterior urethral stenosis 54 6.3.5.2 Post-traumatic posterior stenosis 54 6.3.5.2.1 Endoluminal treatment for post-traumatic posterior stenosis 54 6.3.5.2.1.1 Endoluminal treatment as primary treatment for post-traumatic posterior stenosis 54 6.3.5.2.1.2 Endoluminal treatment after failed urethroplasty for post-traumatic posterior stenosis 55 6.3.5.2.2 Urethroplasty for post-traumatic posterior stenosis 55 6.3.5.2.2.1 First urethroplasty for post-traumatic posterior stenosis 55 6.3.5.2.2.1.1 Indication and technique of urethroplasty for post- traumatic posterior stenosis 55 6.3.5.2.2.1.2 Patency rate after urethroplasty for post- traumatic posterior stenosis 55 6.3.5.2.2.1.3 Sexual function, urinary continence and rectal injury after urethroplasty for post- traumatic posterior stenosis 56 6.3.5.2.2.2 ReDo-urethroplasty for post-traumatic posterior stenosis 56 7. DISEASE MANAGEMENT IN FEMALES 58 7.1 Signs and symptoms of female urethral strictures 58 7.2 Diagnosis of female urethral strictures 58 7.3 Treatment of female urethral strictures 59 7.3.1 Minimally Invasive Techniques for treatment of female urethral strictures 59 7.3.1.1 Urethrotomy for treatment of female urethral strictures 59 7.3.1.2 Urethral dilatation for treatment of female urethral strictures 59 7.3.1.3 Meatoplasty for treatment of female urethral strictures 59 7.3.2 Urethroplasty for treatment of female urethral strictures 59 7.3.2.1 Vaginal graft augmentation urethroplasty for treatment of female urethral strictures 59 7.3.2.2 Vaginal flap augmentation urethroplasty for treatment of female urethral strictures 60 7.3.2.3 Labial/vestibular graft augmentation urethroplasty for treatment of female urethral strictures 60 7.3.2.4 Labial/vestibular flap urethroplasty for treatment of female urethral strictures 60 7.3.2.5 Buccal and lingual mucosal graft augmentation urethroplasty for treatment of female urethral strictures 60 7.3.2.6 Anastomotic urethroplasty 60 8.