Charles J. Devine

Laser Welding in Urethral Surgery: Improved Results with a Protein Solder

Reconstruction of the rat urethra using the CO2 laser and a protein solder has dramatically decreased the postoperative fistula rate and decreased surgical time over conventional microsurgical reconstruction. Using the rat as a model, a partial transection of the ventral urethra was repaired in one of three ways in 39 animals: conventional microsuture repair, laser assisted microsuture repair and laser assisted microsuture repair with a protein solder. The success rate in each group was 50%, 58% and 90% respectively. Therefore, the laser repair is an efficacious as conventional microsuture repair. More importantly, laser with solder is significantly better than either the conventional method or laser alone.

Utricular Configuration in Hypospadias and Intersex

To evaluate the incidence and significance of an enlarged prostatic utricle in hypospadiac patients without underlying intersex 44 patients with the meatus located in the perineum, penoscrotal junction or proximal two-thirds of the penis were evaluated with cystourethroscopy immediately before the operation. There was an abnormally enlarged utricle in 57 per cent of the perineal, 10 per cent of the penoscrotal and none of the penile hypospadias and intersex revealed a high incidence of enlarged utricle or the presence of a vagina masculinus. Utricular enlargement in itself doses not indicate intersexuality but careful cystoscopic examination of its vault needs to be undertaken, searching for a cervix. An enlarged utricle can be a manifestation of delayed mullerian duct regression or decreased androgenic stimulation of the urogenital sinus.

New concepts in phallic reconstruction.

Over the past four years we have performed total phallic reconstructions in 12 patients. Six patients underwent reconstruction following trauma, 3 were female-to-male transsexuals, and 3 had micropenis deformities. These reconstructions were one-stage microsurgical tissue transfers that included urethral reconstruction and coaptation of erogenous nerves. The surgical indications, techniques, and results are discussed.

Dermal Graft Repair of Peyronie’s Disease: Survey of 50 Patients

Abstract: Peyronie’s disease is characterized by localized fibrosis in the tunica albuginea of the corpus cavernosum. This inelastic segment causes bending of the erect penis and sexual incapacity in advanced cases. We reviewed 52 cases in which excision of the Peyronie’s plaque and replacement of the defect with a dermal graft have been done. An operation is an acceptable method to treat patients who are anatomic and sexual cripples. More than 70 per cent of our postoperative patients have been satisfied with sexual performance. Specific aspects of the postoperative course and surgical results are reviewed.

Free Full Thickness Skin Graft Urethroplasty

AbstractDuring the last 15 years we have repaired urethral strictures of each zone of the urethra using a free full thickness skin graft technique. We now report the details of our operative procedure and the results.

Penile Prosthesis Implantation in Total Phalloplasty

A series is presented of 8 patients who had undergone either total phalloplasty or free flap penile reconstruction. Our experience with prosthetic implantation is reviewed as is a brief history of phallic construction, including previously reported efforts at achieving rigidity with prosthetic implantation, autologous material implantation and so forth. We present in detail our current technique of implantation in these 8 patients, who underwent 10 attempts at implantation. In 4 patients infection necessitated removal of the prosthesis (2 have since undergone successful reimplantation). Of the 8 patients in whom implantation was attempted 6 (60%) currently have prostheses in place.

Chromosome abnormalities in Peyronie's disease.

Peyronies disease is a localized and progressive fibrosis of unknown etiology that affects the tunica albuginea of the penis. We examined cytogenetically cell cultures derived from plaque, adjacent tunica, dermis and lymphocytes in patients with Peyronies disease, and compared the results to cell cultures established from the tunica albuginea of control patients. Chromosomal abnormalities were detected in 9 plaque-derived cell cultures from 7 of 12 Peyronies disease patients (58 per cent). Cells cultured from adjacent tunica, dermis and lymphocytes from the same patients were karyotypically normal, as were cultures derived from control (chordee and penile scar) patients. Chromosomal aberrations consisted of 5 numerical changes and 4 structural rearrangements, and included chromosomal additions (trisomy 7 and trisomy 8), deletions (45X,-Y), reciprocal translocations and inversions or markers. In 2 instances cultures derived from plaque tissue contained 2 independent chromosomal abnormalities. The apparently random chromosomal changes associated with Peyronies disease suggests that karyotypic instability may be a common feature of cells within the plaque. It presently is unclear whether this finding represents multiple pathways for the development of Peyronies disease or secondary consequences of Peyronies disease.

Phallic Construction in Prepubertal and Adolescent Boys

During the last 10 years we performed microsurgical phallic reconstruction in 7 prepubertal and 4 adolescent boys. Indications for surgery included post-traumatic amputation, circumcision accident, developmental anomalies and micropenis. In addition, we performed phalloplasty on 5 other patients 18 to 24 years old. Total phallic reconstruction consisted of 1-stage microsurgical tissue transfers that included urethral reconstruction, coaptation of erogenous nerves, aesthetic refinement and, in some cases, scrotal reconstruction. All postpubertal patients recovered erogenous sensibility in the reconstructed phallus and the ability to masturbate. Surgical indications, techniques and results are discussed.

Mü lerian duct cysts: Conservative management

Three cases of the unusual entity, müllerian duct cyst, are presented. Each was managed differently, demonstrating that with appropriate patient selection either aspiration alone, aspiration and instillation of a sclerosing agent, or transurethral resection of bladder base to establish communication and cyst drainage are successful.

Posterior urethral injuries associated with pelvic fractures

The types of fracture of the bony pelvis are categorized, and a system for diagnosis and treatment is recommended which should prevent many strictures and make those which do develop, easier to repair secondarily. This system of treatment should reduce trauma to the nerves and blood vessels.