Vaginal flap for urethral neomeatus reconstruction after radical surgery for vulvar cancer: a retrospective cohort analysis

Introduction: Partial urethrectomy during radical surgery for vulvar cancer may help avoid adjuvant radiotherapy in some patients. This study aimed to evaluate surgical, oncologic, and urinary outcomes of a new surgical technique based on vaginal flap to perform neomeatus reconstruction after distal urethral resection in radical surgery for vulvar cancer.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study between January 2005 and December 2017. We recorded data on pre- and post-operative urinary symptoms, surgical procedures, complications, adjuvant therapy, and follow-up of all patients who underwent surgery for vulvar cancer and had distal urethral resection and neomeatus reconstruction with the proposed technique. The reconstruction was based on the development of a vaginal flap in which a circular opening was created to become the neo-outlet of the urethra.

Results: Of a total of 200 patients with vulvar cancer operated with curative intent, 33 (16.5%) underwent distal urethral resection and neomeatus reconstruction during surgery (median age 73 (range 57-89) years; median body mass index 25.3 (range 16.3-36.4) kg/m²). Urethrectomy allowed the avoidance of adjuvant radiotherapy in 15/33 (45.5%) patients. No case of dehiscence was reported at the site of neomeatus. After a median follow-up of 39 (range 14-151) months, only one case of deviated urinary stream (3%) and no cases of neomeatus stricture were reported. Six (18.2%) patients developed or worsened urinary incontinence after urethral resection and neomeatus reconstruction, and there was no difference in the prevalence of urethral compressor muscle involvement during urethrectomy (p=0.19) and adjuvant radiotherapy (p=1.00). No recurrences were reported at urethral margins.

Conclusions: Distal urethral resection and neomeatus reconstruction seem to be associated with adequate healing and low complication rates, such as dehiscence, stenosis, and flux deviation/dribbling. New-onset or worsened urinary incontinence does not seem to be associated with urethral compressor muscle involvement during urethral resection or adjuvant radiotherapy.