Urethroplasty with Pedicled Tunica Vaginalis for the Treatment of Long-segment Anterior Urethral Stricture Caused by Lichen Sclerosus of Glans Penis

Urethroplasty for the management of long-segment urethral strictures associated with lichen sclerosus presents considerable clinical challenges. Oral mucosal grafts are commonly employed but are vulnerable to posttransplantation infection and recurrent stricture formation. Furthermore, the necessity for anesthesia and oral graft harvesting restricts their application in primary healthcare settings. The single layer of flattened epithelium of the tunica vaginalis can serve as a potential alternative to oral mucosa. Animal experiments have demonstrated that the tunica vaginalis can readily form a tight connection with the multilayered urothelium of the urethra. Utilizing the tunica vaginalis as a scaffold for urethral re-epithelialization may help reduce the risk of recurrence of urethral stricture after surgery. Over a 19 year period, pedicled tunica vaginalis urethroplasty has been used for successfully treating 86 cases. The surgical procedure involves dorsally incising the urethral stricture segment, then covering it with a pedicled tunica vaginalis patch followed by suturing. Postoperatively, the pedicled tunica vaginalis graft exhibits good vascularization and take rate, facilitating urethral re-epithelialization. The surgical procedure is conducted in a sterile environment to mitigate the potential for infectious complications. Moreover, the operation can be executed under spinal anesthesia, which facilitates its implementation in primary healthcare settings.