Outcome analysis of dorsal buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty in perimenopausal women with urethral stricture disease

Purpose: To assess the clinical outcomes following dorsal buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty (BMGU) in perimenopausal women (PMW) suffering from urethral stricture disease. Materials and Methods: PMW (40–65 years) presenting with urinary symptoms were evaluated with uroflowmetry, voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG), and urethral calibration. PMW with maximum flow rate (Qmax) less than 10 ml/s or postvoid residual (PVR) volume greater than 50 ml, VCUG showing evidence of urethral stricture, and failure to calibrate with 14 Fr Foley catheter were included in the study. Patients with underactive bladder, carcinoma cervix, pelvic trauma, and oral submucosal fibrosis were excluded from the study. Patients satisfying inclusion and exclusion criteria underwent dorsal BMGU. Outcomes of the surgery were assessed by uroflowmetry at 3-monthly intervals. Results: The number of patients satisfying the inclusion and exclusion criteria between March 2014 and March 2020 was eight. The mean age of the patients was 52.1 years. The mean stricture length was 1.9 cm. The mean preoperative Qmax and PVR were 4.2 ml/s and 110 ml, respectively. The mean postoperative Qmax and PVR at 6 months were 15.4 ml/s and 39.1 ml, respectively. One patient had a recurrent stricture and underwent dilatation. Donor site complications were minor. The overall success rate of the procedure was 87%. Conclusion: Dorsal BMGU in females for urethral stricture disease offers successful urethral reconstruction and the advantage of least disruption of continence mechanism and resilience to hormonal changes in PMW.