Editorial Comment

In this series the rate of fistula at the proximal urethral anastomosis (the connection of the native urethra to the urethroplasty portion of the urethra, which is made of tubularized paravaginal flaps) more than doubled from 21% to 48% when simultaneous vaginectomy was not performed. The reasons for this are clear. When the vagina is removed, several more layers can be added to this otherwise delicate urethral suture line. 1) The bulbospongiosus muscle, which in the natal female is splayed out rather than encircling the urethra as in the natal male, can be freed and used to cover the midline urethral suture lines.
Source: The Journal of Urology - Category: Urology & Nephrology Authors: Tags: Adult Urology Source Type: research