PURPOSE: We evaluated the efficiency of early endoscopic realignment as primary therapy for bulbar urethral disruption after straddle injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1990 to 1999 we treated 16 men who had bulbar urethral disruption with endoscopic realignment. Followup included uroflowmetry and urethroscopy at 39 to 85 months. RESULTS: All 16 cases were successfully treated at a single session without intraoperative or postoperative complications. Only 2 patients required intermittent self-dilation once weekly and all were potent during followup. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this minimally invasive procedure are comparable to those of open surgery. It may be performed on an outpatient basis using only local anesthesia. Our results imply that this cost-effective therapy should be done as the initial step in most patients with bulbar urethral disruption.
PURPOSE: We evaluated the efficiency of early endoscopic realignment as primary therapy for bulbar urethral disruption after straddle injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1990 to 1999 we treated 16 men who had bulbar urethral disruption with endoscopic realignment. Followup included uroflowmetry and urethroscopy at 39 to 85 months. RESULTS: All 16 cases were successfully treated at a single session without intraoperative or postoperative complications. Only 2 patients required intermittent self-dilation once weekly and all were potent during followup. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this minimally invasive procedure are comparable to those of open surgery. It may be performed on an outpatient basis using only local anesthesia. Our results imply that this cost-effective therapy should be done as the initial step in most patients with bulbar urethral disruption.