The Impact of Age on Urethroplasty Success

Abstract Objective To determine if age is an independent predictor of surgical success in patients undergoing urethroplasty. Urethroplasty performed by excision and primary anastomosis depends on vascular collateralization. Successful augmented urethroplasty depends on graft neovascularization. Older patients have more comorbid conditions including peripheral vascular disease associated with reduced penile blood flow. Materials and Methods A retrospective review of urethroplasties from 11 institutions. Primary outcome was functional success at 1 year from surgery, defined as freedom from post-urethroplasty procedures. Secondary outcome was freedom from cystoscopic evidence of stricture recurrence at 3 months. Study outcomes were compared between two age cohorts (< 60 y/o and ≥ 60 y/o). Multivariable logistic regression analysis evaluated the influence of patient factors on our primary and secondary outcomes, utilizing age as a continuous variable. Results Of 322 urethroplasties, 258 were performed in patients < 60 years and 64 in patients ≥ 60 years. Median follow-up was 1.8 years. The following were not significantly different between groups: stricture length or location, smoking status, number of previous DIVUs/dilations, and urethroplasty type. The following were more common in ≥ 60: diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, coronary artery and peripheral vascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cancer. There was no difference in need for repeat procedures or anatomic recurrence between age groups or with increasing age. Stricture length was the only statistically significant clinical factor. Conclusions Urethroplasty success may be affected by comorbidities but not age. Age alone should not be used as an absolute exclusion criterion for men needing urethral reconstruction.